Sept. 20, 2010
The UConn game: Another morning kick for `Dores
The Commodores will feature a second consecutive morning kickoff when they travel to East Hartford, Conn., on Oct. 2 to take on the Connecticut Huskies.
Vanderbilt (1-2 overall, 1-1 in SEC) will be looking to post consecutive victories when they face the 1-2 Huskies at Rentschler Field. Kickoff for the game is 11 a.m., CT, with the Big East Network providing television coverage.
Seeking Back-to-Back Wins
The Commodores travel to Connecticut seeking back-to-back wins for the first time in nearly two years.
The last time Vanderbilt registered consecutive wins was during 2008 when they defeated Ole Miss (23-17, Sept. 20) and Auburn (14-13, Oct. 4). The Auburn win, coming before an national ESPN audience with ESPN’s College GameDay show on campus for the first time, gave Vanderbilt a 5-0 record for the first time since World War II.
Point Production vs. Ole Miss
Only twice since Jay Cutler was a senior standout and the SEC’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2005 has Vanderbilt produced more points against an SEC opponent than it did Saturday at Ole Miss. Both higher point totals – 31 vs. Ole Miss in 2007 and 31 vs. Kentucky in 2008 – also resulted in Vanderbilt wins.
100-Yard Rushers = Vanderbilt Win
With Warren Norman rushing for 111 yards Saturday at Ole Miss, the Commodores have now captured the last 14 games when they feature a 100-yard rusher. The streak dates back to the 2003 opener.
Norman’s 80-yard rush in the third quarter at Ole Miss also matched the second longest carry in team history.
Facing Big East Conference Foe
When they face Connecticut, the Commodores will seek their 11th victory in 19 games against current members of the Big East Conference. They are 10-7-1 all-time versus Big East members, including 1-0 against the Huskies (28-24, Oct. 26, 2002, in Nashville). In its last game against a Big East member, Vanderbilt dropped a disappointing 37-34 game to Rutgers.
Playing in New England
Vanderbilt is seeking its second all-time win – and first in six decades – in games contested in one of the New England states. The Commodores are 1-2-1 all-time in New England stadiums, having defeated Yale in New Haven, Conn., 35-0 in 1948. The Commodores’ last appearance in New England was a 19-6 loss to Boston College in 1963.
(Photo Credit: Mike Marti)
