Vanderbilt (2-9, 0-7 SEC) at #25 Tennessee (7-4, 3-4 SEC)
Saturday, Nov. 25 • 2:30 p.m. CT
Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, Tenn. • SEC Network
• Vanderbilt heads east to Neyland Stadium this Saturday for the 2023 finale against No. 25 Tennessee on SEC Network. The Dores and Volunteers will be meeting for the 118th time since 1892. Tennessee leads the series 6-5 in the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2012.
• The Commodores are coming off a bye week, following a 47-6 loss at South Carolina on Nov. 11. Vandy’s lone score came on a 19- yard pass from Ken Seals to Quincy Skinner Jr.
• Vanderbilt’s defense has forced a turnover in all 11 games this season. Tyson Russell snagged his first career interception last Saturday at South Carolina. The Dores have 12 interceptions on the season, tied for first in the SEC and 14th in FBS. Bryce Cowan picked off Payton Throne and returned it for Vandy’s first score vs. Auburn (11.4), registering Vanderbilt’s second pick-six on the season (Martel Hight at UNLV).
• Vanderbilt’s 12 interceptions are double last season’s total. Tendifferent Dores have recorded a pick this season, eight of whom recorded their first career pick.
• Langston Patterson recorded a sack, forced fumble and an interception at Ole Miss (10.28). Patterson posted a defensive grade of 93.4 according to Pro Football Focus, which was the second-highest grade by an FBS linebacker in Week 9 and the second-highest grade by a Dore defender since 2014. Patterson has led the team in tackles for three consecutive games.
• Nate Clifton has a team-high 5.5 sacks on the season. He recorded at least 0.5 sacks in four consecutive games (at Florida, vs. Georgia, at Ole Miss, vs. Auburn).
• Will Sheppard made four catches for 43 yards against Auburn (11.4), becoming the eighth Commodore to surpass 2,000 career receiving yards. Sheppard is one of six Commodores to rank in the top 10 for career receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns receptions. He currently is seventh for catches (150), tied for third with 21 receiving touchdowns and is eighth in receiving yards (2,023).
• Jayden McGowan is averaging 24.9 yards per kick return for a total of 424 yards and a touchdown. He is one of three SEC players to return a kickoff for a score this season (Barion Brow – Kentucky, Zavion Thomas – Mississippi State). His average return is second-best in the league and 13th in FBS.
• Matthew Hayball leads the SEC and is third nationally in punting with a 48.2 average. He has 2,410 punting yards this season on 50 punts with a long of 71 yards. He has 20 kicks inside the 20. Hayball has surpassed 2,000 punting yards in four of five seasons.
