After a slow start, Vanderbilt went to a punishing ground game with two 100-yard rushers — and more than 300 rushing yards — largely behind the left side of the offensive line that was its best effort of the season to beat Tennessee State 35-17 before 31,084 on homecoming.

What it means: Vanderbilt proved it could handle a big win over Georgia and take care of business the following week. It confirmed depth behind Ralph Webb as it poured on the rushing yards throughout the game, and eclipsed 400 yards of offense by midway through the third quarter. The passing effort was effective enough as Kyle Shurmur was 15-for-23 for 143 yards and a touchdown.

What I liked: The combination of Ralph Webb and Khari Blasingame pulled Vanderbilt back in the game with a five-play scoring drive to answer the Tigers’ early score. Webb had one run for 46 yards, then caught a 15-yard pass and Blasingame capped the drive with a 1-yard score.

By the time Vanderbilt went up 21-17, Blasingame hit a new career-high with 73 rushing yards. He was in the middle of a season-high rushing effort for the Commodores, who eclipsed that mark early in the third quarter when they went up 28-17 and had 251 yards.

The Vanderbilt defense contained a Tennessee State offense that had scored at least 34 points in all but one game this season, and at least 30 in every game. The Tigers’ had scored in 23 of 26 quarters, but were shut out in the third quarter and managed just a field goal in the second quarter.

What I didn’t like: The 93-yard touchdown by Tennessee State brought back memories of the start to the Georgia Tech game. The Tigers tied Tech’s 14 points, the most allowed by Vanderbilt in a first quarter this season.

At one point early on, Tennessee State’s Patrick Smith had 124 receiving yards and Vanderbilt had 102 total yards. By the end of the first quarter, Smith had four catches for 124 yards and two TDs.

Who’s the man: Blasingame, a converted linebacker, filled in admirably for Webb, who entered with a sore ankle. (Webb was limited in carries but still ran for 125 yards.) Blasingame had a career-high in yards (100) and touchdowns (3) after he entered the game with his best games being 68 yards against South Carolina and 41 against Florida. He hit 100 yards with a first down run during a clock-draining drive with about 12 and a half minutes left.

Key play: Vanderbilt’s Oren Burks collected his third sack of the season, and the team’s seventh, late in the first half on third down for Tennessee State at his own 15-yard line. The five yard loss forced a field goal attempt to preserve a 21-17 Vanderbilt halftime lead.

What’s next: Vanderbilt is off next Saturday and plays at Auburn on Nov. 5.