The Vanderbilt Commodores start the season 2-0 after defeating Nevada Saturday 41-10. This marked the first-ever meeting between these two teams, and the Commodores now hold the 1-0 edge.

Things didn’t start out great, however. The Commodores had two red zone trips on their first two possessions, but came away with no points. Vanderbilt fumbled on the first drive and was stopped short on fourth down on the three-yard line on the second.

Things improved on the third drive when QB Kyle Shurmur hit WR Kalija Lipscomb on a two-yard TD pass. Lipscomb’s TD reception capped off a seven-play, 53-yard drive.

The Commodores led just 17-10 at halftime before coming out in the third quarter and turning it on. Following a field goal to make it 20-10, RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn ripped off a 46-yard TD run with six minutes left in the third quarter. Shurmur then hit Lipscomb again for an 11-yard TD pass on the very next drive. Lipscomb’s second TD reception capped off an 8-play, 73-yard TD drive.

The rout was on.

Shurmur finished 23-of-32 for 258 yards and two TDs, while Lipscomb finished with 10 catches for 85 yards and two TDs. Vaughn finished with 11 carries for 93 yards and two TDs.

The Commodores’ defense allowed just 250 total yards, including 34 rushing yards. Most impressive, the Dores defense created four Nevada turnovers. The offense turned those four turnovers into 21 points.

With every week, we keep asking ourselves just how good Vanderbilt can be. The defense is no doubt very good, and if the trio of Shurmur, Lipscomb and Vaughan keep producing at a high level, the Commodores are going to be a tough win for anyone.

The Commodores travel to Notre Dame next Saturday, and we’ll have a good feel for who Vanderbilt really is in 2018.