Vanderbilt was shut out for the second time in its past four games during Saturday night’s 25-0 loss to Texas A&M.

Here’s a breakdown of what transpired in Week 12:

5 TAKEAWAYS

  • Vanderbilt has serious quarterback issues: This probably isn’t breaking news to anyone that has watched the Commodores much this season, but it is definitely the top thing to take away from this game. With just 23 yards through the air, Vanderbilt had no chance to win the game because of a lack of a decent downfield threat. The Commodores interchanged Kyle Shurmur and Johnny McCrary throughout the game, and it really didn’t matter. Neither got the job done. Unfortunately, it looks as though the Commodores are set to enter another offseason without an answer to the quarterback question.
  • The bowl game dream is dead: It was hanging on by a thread entering Saturday’s contest, but with a 4-7 record and a trip to Tennessee ahead, it’s all but gone. The Commodores will be unable to reach the six wins that are usually required for a bowl, but there is a slight chance of consideration for 5-7 teams if there are not enough six-win teams to fill all the bowls. It will take a road upset next week to even make that a possibility.
  • Vanderbilt’s red zone defense is amazing: Seriously. The Commodores entered this game with one of the nation’s best defenses when it came to stopping teams in the red zone, and they responded time and time again on Saturday. The Vanderbilt defense forced six field goals and did not allow a red zone touchdown. If they weren’t so solid, this game would’ve been much uglier than the 25-0 score makes it appear.
  • Ralph Webb is the most successful sophomore runner the school has ever seen: Webb surpassed the 1,000-yard mark on Saturday, becoming the first sophomore to do so in Vanderbilt football history. It’s just the fifth time a Vanderbilt running back has eclipsed the 1,000-yard threshold. That’s impressive, considering the entire stadium knows Webb will be getting the ball and will be doing so behind a less-than-stellar offensive line.
  • Zach Cunningham is one of the SEC’s elite linebackers: That’s a bold statement, but the numbers continue to back it up. Cunningham had another standout performance against Texas A&M, leading the team with 14 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble.

REPORT CARD

Offense: (F) — If I could give an F-minus for this performance, I would. To have only 23 yards passing, zero points and 148 total yards is just about as bad as it gets.

Defense: (B-minus) — The fatal flaw for this group was a 95-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter for the game’s only touchdown. Otherwise, the Commodores again turned in a solid defensive effort, forcing seven field goal attempts.

Special Teams: (C-minus) — Tommy Openshaw had a punt blocked inside his own 20 and had another punt go just 14 yards. The Commodores did do a decent job of containing dangerous return man Christian Kirk.

Coaching: (D) — In what has become a recent trend, it appears as though the Commodores are receiving top notch defensive coaching, but less than creative offensive scheming. Unfortunately for Derek Mason, he must answer for both.

Overall: (D) — The Commodores had an opportunity to make a statement against a conference team with a winning record, but instead turned in an all-around uninspiring performance.

GAME PLAN

It has become increasingly clear that Vanderbilt is handicapped on offense by the play of its quarterbacks and wide receivers. In games earlier in the season, that often meant losing games by turning the ball over far too many times. The Commodores have taken an ultra-conservative approach in recent weeks, trying to give its defense a chance to win games by simply not having the offense get in the way. While that approach has brought wins against teams like Missouri and Kentucky, which have each struggled to score points on their own, it has proven to be less successful against teams like Houston and Texas A&M, which have been able to take advantage of the Commodores’ one-dimensional attack.

GAME BALLS

  • LB Zach Cunningham: 14 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble.
  • CB Tre Herndon: Eight tackles and two pass breakups.
  • DE Caleb Azubike: Four tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack.

INJURIES

  • WR Caleb Scott (lower body)
  • LB Darreon Herring and CB Torren McGaster were helped from the field, but returned to action.