Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - Jordan Rodgers connected on 17-of-21 attempts
for 217 yards and two touchdowns as the Vanderbilt Commodores completed a 49-7
rout of the Massachusetts Minutemen at Vanderbilt Stadium.
Vanderbilt (4-4) gained 226 yards on the ground as a team as three different
players scored rushing touchdowns. Brian Kimbrow gained a team-high 98 yards on
seven carries after breaking away for a 74-yard touchdown run. Wesley Tate
added 81 yards and a score on 15 carries and Rodgers also produced a rushing
touchdown. Jordan Matthews led all receivers with 112 yards on 10 receptions as
the Commodores picked up their second win in a row.
Mike Wegzyn struggled under center for UMass (0-8), which extended its FBS
leading losing streak to 11 consecutive games dating back to last season.
Wegzyn went 15-of-27 for 162 yards and an interception before A.J. Doyle
relieved him and went 8-of-14 for 48 yards with a touchdown and interception.
Michael Cox was limited to 56 yards on 17 carries. Marken Michel led the team
with 56 yards on six receptions and Deion Walker reeled in six passes for 51
yards and a score.
The only first quarter points came courtesy of a 25-yard touchdown run by Tate,
which sent Vandy into the second period with a 7-0 cushion.
After neither side managed to produce points for the first 13 minutes of the
second quarter, Rodgers got into a rhythm late and led the Commodores to two
touchdowns in the final two minutes before halftime. Rodgers completed a 25-
yard touchdown pass to Kris Kentera before rushing four yards into the end zone
with 48 seconds left in the stanza to give Vandy a 21-0 lead at the
intermission.
Rodgers found more success after the break as he completed a 14-yard touchdown
pass to Chris Boyd at the 6:34 mark of the third quarter.
The Commodores' defense added some points as Trey Wilson intercepted Wegzyn and
returned the pick 17 yards for six points. Kimbrow broke away for a 74-yard
touchdown run and Jonathan Krause returned a punt 40 yards for a score to give
Vandy a 49-0 advantage heading into the final period.
UMass finally ended the run as Doyle completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to
Walker with just over six minutes left to play. Neither side managed any
more points the rest of the way.
Vanderbilt's dominance was clear as it gained 443 yards of total offense and
limited UMass to 264 yards.
GAME NOTES:
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