Vanderbilt follows first SEC win with shutout loss to Houston

The joy of Vanderbilt’s first SEC victory of the season against Missouri in Week 8 was short-lived thanks to an embarrassing 34-0 loss at No. 18 Houston in Week 9.

Here’s a breakdown of what transpired:

5 TAKEAWAYS

• Vanderbilt’s offense was as bad as it has been under Derek Mason: There were some tumultuous times during Derek Mason’s first season at Vanderbilt, including a rock-bottom 51-0 performance against Mississippi State last November. Those days were seemingly behind the Commodores, but Saturday’s 185-yard, scoreless, four-turnover effort was a stark reminder that things could again be that bad for the Vanderbilt offense.
• The Commodores don’t have a competent quarterback: Freshman Kyle Shurmur and sophomore Johnny McCrary combined to complete 5 of 20 passes for 44 yards and 3 interceptions during Saturday’s loss, which highlighted what a struggle Vanderbilt has had filling the position since the graduation of Austyn Carta-Samuels following the 2013 season. Wade Freebeck, who saw significant action as a true freshman last season, could be called upon again soon. It has become the team’s most glaring hole, and the answer to the problem may not be on the roster.
• The offensive line is battered: Vanderbilt started the season without one of its best offensive tackles following a preseason injury to Andrew Jelks, but things got a lot worse for the Commodores early in the game against Houston. OT Justin Skule had to be carted off the field in the first quarter with an air cast on his left leg, indicating a significant injury. He was followed off the field by OT Blake Fromang, who was reported to be having issues with his left knee. Needless to say, the Commodores’ depth at offensive tackle is being tested at this point in the season.
• Losing the turnover battle = losing games: This seems like common sense, but it can’t be emphasized enough. The Commodores simply aren’t talented enough to continue to lose the turnover battle and expect to win games. Vanderbilt, which entered the game with the SEC’s worst turnover margin, isn’t vacating the bottom of the list any time soon after turning the ball over 4 times while creating just 2 turnovers.
• The Commodores defense deserves better: If you take away the 21 points scored off turnovers in Saturday’s game, the Vanderbilt defense kept a high-powered Cougars offense to just 1 touchdown drive and a pair of field goals. With a competent offensive effort backing it, there is a chance that holding Houston to 371 yards and creating 2 turnovers was good enough to win.

REPORT CARD

Offense — F: There is nothing positive to take away from this performance: 185 total yards, 4 turnovers and zero points.

Defense — C: This group didn’t have its best evening, but they are hardly to blame for the loss. Allowing 371 yards and creating 2 turnovers is an acceptable outcome against a Houston team that has put up monster numbers this season.

Special Teams — C: With no field goal attempts and only one kickoff, those groups did not see much work. Tommy Openshaw shanked an 11-yard punt. The returners had plenty of opportunities and no big plays to show for it.

Coaching — F: There was a lack of creativity on offense and a lack of leadership when things started going south for the Commodores. There was no fire from a team that should’ve been jacked up following a win the week prior.

Overall — F: If the Commodores took a step forward in Week 8 against Missouri, they took two steps back in Week 9 against Houston. It was the Commodores’ worst performance of the 2015 season.

GAME PLAN

Vanderbilt is not going to win a shootout type of game with many teams, so the Commodores were likely content to draw up a game plan centered around running the football, controlling the clock, winning the turnover battle and hoping that the defense would play well enough to win the game. They did none of those first three things particularly effectively, losing the turnover and time of possession contests as well as earning just 3.4 yards per carry.

GAME BALLS

• RB Ralph Webb: The lone offensive bright spot accumulated 99 yards rushing on 26 carries.
• LB Zach Cunningham: The Commodores’ leading tackler accumulated 9 total tackles, 2.5 for loss and forced 2 fumbles.
• LB Stephen Weatherly: 6 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery.

Nick Cole

Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.