The early-season tailspin continues for one of America’s worst teams, but there’s hope.
There’s another half of football left to play.
Winless Vanderbilt, a 17.5-point favorite, trails Massachusetts, 24-20, in Nashville at intermission.
True freshman Wade Freebeck got the start (Vandy’s fourth quarterback this season) and was yanked after the first quarter in favor of Patton Robinette.
Robinette scored the Commodores’ first offensive touchdown of the season on a 1-yard plunge over the top in the second quarter and added a 3-yard touchdown pass in the final minute of the frame. Vanderbilt added a fumble recovery for a score with seven minutes left in the half when Adam Butler fell on a dropped pitch in the end zone.
Two special teams miscues led to points for the Minutemen including a well-executed fake punt for a 53-yard touchdown. A 75-yard kickoff return later in the first half put UMass in field goal range.
