N.C. State scored 14 points off Vanderbilt turnovers in a game where the Commodores hardly threatened after taking a 3-0 lead in the first quarter.

N.C. State led by 11 points at halftime, added a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and pick-six on the final play of a 41-17 victory over the Commodores on Monday in the Independence Bowl.

It was a precipitous drop-off offensively for Vanderbilt, which averaged 468.4 yards per game in its previous five games but had 157 at halftime. Part of the problem? Vanderbilt was 1-for-12 on first-down passes by early in the fourth quarter.

What it means: A largely uninspiring performance for the Commodores, considering the high of the final two regular season wins. It already raises questions, and doubts, about whether Vanderbilt had indeed turned the corner as a program with additional bowl practices and momentum following the Tennessee win. But after the lackluster first half, quarterback Kyle Shurmur threw an interception early in the third quarter, just the second time in his career that he’s thrown more than one interception in a game.

Shurmur finished 19-for-46 for 158 yards and three interceptions. He was held without a touchdown pass for the sixth time this season.

It was a departure from the regular season in several ways, including turnovers and turnover margin. Vanderbilt had one turnover per game, fewest in the SEC, and had two by early in the third quarter. It also won the turnover margin in 10 of 12 games.

What I liked: Ralph Webb set the Vanderbilt single-season rushing record with a 6-yard run in the first half as he passed 1,200 yards. He already owns the Vanderbilt career rushing record. Webb’s 30-yard touchdown with 58 seconds left in the third quarter was one of the few bright spots and made the score 28-10.

Webb finished with 111 yards in what might have been his final game. The junior has not decided whether to enter the NFL Draft or return to school.

After the Wolfpack moved the ball early on their first series, Matt Dayes fumbled and Vanderbilt’s Arnold Tarpley recovered at the Vandy 17. It was the 13th forced fumble of the season for Vanderbilt.

Later, Vanderbilt stopped Dayes on fourth down and one near the goal line — one play after it appeared Vanderbilt had recovered a second Dayes fumble.

Vanderbilt’s Tommy Openshaw made a 52-yard field goal early in the first half, which is an Independence Bowl record, and the longest for a Commodore in the postseason. It broke the record Bryant Hahnfeldt set when he  won the 2008 Music City Bowl with a 45-yarder.

Midway through the second quarter, Trent Sherfield broke a 45-yard end-around to the Wolfpack 11-yard line, which is the longest by a Commodore in bowl game. It broke the previous record of 38 yards by Jerron Seymour in the 2014 BBVA Compass Bowl.

What I didn’t like: Defensive back Torren McGaster was whistled for two pass interference flags in the first quarter, including one with 3:24 that gave N.C. State the ball at the Vanderbilt 21.

With some momentum following the goal-line stand, Shurmur was picked off by Trae Meadows over the middle to give the Wolfpack the ball at the 41-yard line.

Openshaw shanked a 27-yard field goal attempt in the first half that was so wide left, it didn’t even hit the net behind the goalposts.

N.C. State in the first half outgained the Commodores 251-157 and 14-8 in first downs. N.C. State quarterback Ryan Finley was near perfect in the first half with 164 yards on 14-for-17 passing and two touchdowns.

Who’s the man: N.C. State’s all-purpose standout Jaylen Samuels had seven first-half touches for 96 yards and two touchdowns, an average of 13.7 per touch. For perspective, Vanderbilt had 62 passing yards as a team. Samuels caught a third touchdown pass from 17 yards out in the third quarter. The three touchdowns are an Independence Bowl record.

Key play: The Vanderbilt defense, which had largely held up in the first half to that point, was torched late in the second quarter when Samuels scored on a 55-yard TD catch, his second of the game, that put NC State up 14-3 with 1:24 remaining. Samuels was hardly touched on the screen pass caught near the line of scrimmage.

What’s next: Vanderbilt, which finished 6-7, shifts its attention to Feb. 1 and National Signing Day, before the 2017 season opener at Middle Tennessee State. Vandy’s class is ranked No. 64, according to 247Sports.com’s composite. To date, the Commodores’ 14-player class is composed entirely of 3-star prospects.