Vanderbilt got the win over rival Tennessee in impressive fashion Saturday night.

This season has not quite turned out how Tennessee or Vanderbilt were hoping. Both teams came into the season-ending rivalry matchup with a 4-7 record and without a win in the SEC. Vanderbilt did start 3-0 this season with an upset of Kansas State while Tennessee started 2-0 before things turned sideways.

The disappointing results set up an interesting last game of the season for both teams, but it looked like a high-scoring affair may develop early on. The two teams combined to score four touchdowns on the first four drives of the football game with neither defense able to force a stop.

A nice touchdown grab by Marquez Callaway and one-yard run from John Kelly provided the points for the Volunteers. On the other side of the ball, Vanderbilt’s Kyle Shurmur connected on a touchdown pass with C.J. Duncan and Ralph Webb punched in another score for the 14-14 tie in the second quarter.

The Commodores would take the lead before halftime with a long touchdown pass from Shurmur to Kalija Lipscomb in what would turn out to be another big game for the Vanderbilt QB.

Tennessee started strong but faded quickly as the Commodores went on a 35-3 run to grab control of the game and never let up. The Vanderbilt defense and offense turned in an efficient performance to secure the 42-24 win.

What I liked

  • The steady leadership of Shurmur. The junior put up a great performance to finish the season and completed 20 of 31 passes for 283 yards and 4 TDs without an interception. It is the kind of showing you hope to contribute in a rivalry game, and he definitely came up big for the Commodores.
  • Webb putting the finishing touches on his impressive career. Vanderbilt’s senior RB continued his remarkable career and broke the school record for career rushing touchdowns. He finished the game with 163 yards and 2 TDs on 25 carries.
  • The balance of Vanderbilt’s receivers. Six different Commodores caught a pass against the Volunteers with three players finishing the game with five or more catches.
  • The performance of Tennessee’s Brandon Edward Johnson. It was certainly a rocky season for the Vols offense, but the sophomore receiver finished the year off with a strong performance. Johnson caught six passes for 107 yards.

What I didn’t like

  • Lack of production from Tennessee’s star RB. John Kelly has been the heart and soul of the offense this season but could not find a way to get things going against the Commodores. He carried the ball 10 times for 20 yards and a touchdown in the loss.
  • Tennessee’s defensive effort. The Commodores put up over 500 yards against the Volunteers with a balanced attack all night long. Tennessee never found a way to disrupt Shurmur’s groove or the rushing attack and paid for it as a result.

A disappointing season for both teams has come to an end. Vanderbilt ends the season at 5-7 with one win in the SEC.

Tennessee finishes the season at an abysmal 4-8 record and will continue the search for a new head coach.