Derek Mason’s Vanderbilt Commodores entered Saturday’s matchup against No. 6 Florida as 31.5-point underdogs. The Dores could not have asked for a better start, jumping out to a 7-0 and later taking a 10-7 lead.

As the game went on, however, Mason’s squad could not hang with the Gators’ high-powered offense. Vanderbilt fell to 38-17, dropping to 0-7 on the season.

Florida tied its season-low scoring out of 38 and Vanderbilt covered the massive spread, but Mason wasn’t celebrating the “moral victory.” After the game, he talked about VU’s missed opportunities.

Here are the highlights of what he told reporters in his postgame press conference:

  • Opened by thanking the medical staff “they do a terrific job of getting us from week to week.”
  • Sees growth in football team, notes today’s fast start.
  • Notes defense is dealing with depth issues.
  • Saw Dores get into some rhythm, says playing four-straight games has helped.
  • On VU’s running game: “There were some run plays where guys just missed some holes.”
  • Says that a couple of “rainbow balls” from Florida QB Kyle Trask could have been Vanderbilt interceptions, but Commodores defensive backs could not locate the ball.
  • Missed opportunities – like missed picks – lead to extended drives, points on the board that “demoralize you.”
  • On sticking with the run: Good to keep them off-balance. There were some holes that he thought Keyon Henry-Brooks could hit. Dores left 65-70 yards of good run opportunities out there that would have helped keep them on schedule.
  • On Keyon Henry-Brooks’ status against Tennessee: Hoping he plays, day-to-day.