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Inside the Numbers: Vanderbilt looks to earn first winning streak of 2014
By Jason Hall
Published:
The Vanderbilt Commodores (3-6, 0-5 SEC) host the Florida Gators (4-3, 3-3) on Saturday at Vanderbilt Stadium. The Commodores are coming off a 42-28 win over Old Dominion. The Gators captured a 38-20 victory over No. 20 Georgia and look to extend their winning streak for the first time since Week 4.
Here’s a look inside the numbers:
THE GOOD
760: Ralph Webb leads Vanderbilt with 760 rushing yards. He is just 38 shy of tying the late Kwane Doster’s Vanderbilt freshman rushing record of 798 yards set in 2002. Webb is coming off a career-best 166-yard performance against Old Dominion and should continue to be a vital part of the Commodores’ offensive scheme.
5: Johnny McCrary threw a career-best five touchdowns in Saturday’s win, tying Jay Cutler and Bill Wade for the single-game school record. McCrary also threw for a team-best 281 yards and is the only quarterback to take the majority of snaps in multiple wins for Vanderbilt this season.
THE BAD
205.0: Florida’s rushing offense is averaging 205.0 yards per game, ranking No. 36 overall. Matt Jones leads with 616 yards and five touchdowns. Vanderbilt has struggled to stop the run, averaging 170.89 yards allowed per game and ranking No. 74 overall.
19.9: The Commodores are averaging 19.9 points per game, ranking No. 112 overall. Vanderbilt is averaging 177.3 passing yards per game (No. 110 overall) and 117.3 rushing yards per game (No. 110). However, the Commodores look improved with McCrary filling the role of starting quarterback and should see an improvement in both areas.
-8: Vanderbilt has a -8 turnover margin entering Saturday’s game. The Commodores have thrown 12 interceptions and lost seven fumbles. Their defense has recovered seven fumbles and picked off four passes. Vanderbilt has been in the negative since the season began and shouldn’t see much of a difference with three games remaining.
A former freelance journalist from Nashville, Jason covers Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky
