Vanderbilt blows past Middle Tennessee in opener

For the second straight year, the Vanderbilt Commodores opened the season with a commanding 35-7 victory over the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in Nashville on Saturday afternoon.

Vanderbilt got the season started with a bang, scoring on their very first drive. Khari Blasingame got the ball five straight times, with the last run being a 30-yard touchdown.

The initial good fortune was short-lived, though, as Brent Stockstill and the Raiders marched down the field to tie the game. After that drive, Vanderbilt’s defense became the story. The ‘Dores struck for six sacks in the game, five of which came in the first half. The defense was also responsible for Vandy’s second touchdown, as Dayo Odeyingbo scooped up a fumble and took it three yards into the end zone, which you can see below.

That would be all the scoring for the first half. The second half was where quarterback Kyle Shurmur really excelled, leading Vandy’s offense to two touchdowns, the second of which was an incredible snag by Kalija Lipscomb.

Shurmur finished the night at a modest 10-17 for 170 yards and two touchdowns. It’s certainly a solid start, and could be the groundwork for something better down the line.

Vandy will be back at it next week when they host the Nevada Wolfpack. Nevada won their season opener, 72-19, against Portland State.