The Clark Lea era at Vanderbilt got off to a brutal start Saturday night.

The Vanderbilt Commodores were not only upset at home to the East Tennessee State Buccaneers 23-3, but they were thoroughly dominated. ETSU, led by former Tennessee assistant Randy Sanders, was the more physical team all game.

Vanderbilt QB Ken Seals started the game, but he was pulled at one point in the second half and replaced by Mike Wright. Lea brought Seals back in to finish the game, and he continued to struggle. Seals finished just 20-of-33 for 195 yards, while Wright finished 4-of-9 for 49 yards.

Vanderbilt’s offense couldn’t get any chunk plays on offense. It was a lot of dink and dunk, and without chunk plays, the offense struggled to move the ball consistently.

In fact, Vanderbilt barely got inside the red zone throughout the game. The Commodores lone score came on a 53-yard field goal by Joseph Bulovas.

Turnovers killed Vanderbilt. Seals nearly threw a pick-6 that was returned 100 yards; however, it was called back due to taunting. Seals also coughed up a fumble that lead to a Buccaneers touchdown return, and late in the fourth quarter, Seals also threw an interception in the end zone.

ETSU was led by QB Tyler Riddell, who threw for 135 yards and 1 touchdown. Buccaneers running back Quay Holmes torched Vandy’s defense with 149 yards on 23 carries.

ETSU racked up 179 rushing yards against Vanderbilt’s defense.