LEXINGTON, Ky. — Vanderbilt football kept rolling with a 20-13 win over Kentucky at Kroger Field on Saturday night.
The Commodores (4-2, 2-1 SEC) remained undefeated since their open week, defeating Alabama and then the Wildcats. Before the off week, Vanderbilt had back-to-back heartbreaking losses against Georgia State and then against Missouri in double overtime.
Diego Pavia has been better than ever at quarterback, but there are a number of reasons the Commodores have turned their season around and gotten back on track for bowl eligibility. Here are five under-the-radar developments from the past two games:
Time of possession
It wasn’t as extreme as holding the ball for 42 minutes against Alabama, but Vanderbilt did get 34:35 of possession Saturday, edging out Kentucky in that department.
The Wildcats managed to run more plays, but the Commodores, thanks to taking an early lead, had the clock on their side for most of the game. Vanderbilt never trailed against Kentucky or Alabama.
One big part of the success in time of possession has been the fact that Vanderbilt did not record a three-and-out against either Alabama or Kentucky. That allowed the Commodores to keep running clock and keep its defense off the field.
DIEGO PAVIAHow Diego Pavia battled through injury in Vanderbilt football’s vital road win vs Kentucky
Vanderbilt football reduces penalties
Through the first four games, Vanderbilt was one of the most-penalized teams in the country. That’s been cleaned up a bit since. Against Alabama, the Commodores had just three penalties for 20 yards, and against Kentucky, that was five penalties for 57 yards. Vanderbilt did not commit fewer than six penalties in any of its first four games.
Next man up
Vanderbilt played Kentucky without Langston Patterson, its top linebacker. As it turned out, Patterson, a captain, helped the Commodores’ other linebackers to prepare for the game.
During the second quarter, Miles Capers, who leads the Commodores’ defensive linemen in tackles and tackles for loss, had to be stretchered off the field with a neck injury. Vanderbilt ultimately forced a fumble on that drive, not only overcoming the mental weight of what happened to Capers but also seamlessly incorporating his replacements. (Capers later returned to the sideline in street clothes.)
The Commodores have increased depth on their defense from a season ago. Players who aren’t typically starters, like Nick Rinaldi, Prince Kollie, Bryce Cowan and De’Marion Thomas all can contribute.
Brock Taylor coming up big
Brock Taylor hit field goals from 49 and 50 yards against Kentucky. The latter was his fourth field goal of 50 yards or more this season.
Taylor had some issues with making kicks in big moments, even from shorter distances. But he certainly has long range, and that can bail out Vanderbilt when the offense stalls. Taylor missed two field goals against Missouri but he made all of his kicks against Alabama and Kentucky, save for one blocked extra point. Taylor made two field goals apiece in the two games, each of which the Commodores won by single digits.
There was another way Taylor came up big too: he made a tackle on a long kick return by Nashville native Barion Brown that could have saved a touchdown.
Sedrick Alexander and AJ Newberry as receiving threats
Vanderbilt’s wide receiver room lacks punch. Just two wide receivers have more than 10 catches this season, and the Commodores’ top receiver by a wide margin is tight end Eli Stowers, who played with Pavia at New Mexico State.
Sedrick Alexander has been used in the passing game all season, with 12 catches for 89 yards, but as of late AJ Newberry, another running back, also has emerged as a receiving threat. He made two catches for 26 yards and a touchdown against Kentucky after gaining 14 yards on one catch against Alabama.
In total, Newberry has 101 yards on five catches, putting him fourth on the team in total receiving yards behind Stowers, Quincy Skinner and Junior Sherrill.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X, formerly Twitter, @aria_gerson.
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