5:00 FINAL:
Well, folks, that about does it here from Vanderbilt Stadium. Make sure to check out my story that I just posted. We’ll have additionally coverage for you tomorrow and in Monday’s edition of The Vanderbilt Hustler.
It will be interesting to see how the Commodores respond next week in a, dare I say, must-win game against Ole Miss.
Yes, there is plenty of football left to be played, but if Vanderbilt cannot beat a mediocre Rebel squad at home, who can they beat? Next Saturday will be a gut check, for sure.
Thanks for reading, and make sure you don’t let the Dores ruin your Saturday night! Have fun and be safe.
2:26 Alabama 24, Vanderbilt 10
Mackenzi Adams found George Smith for a 15-yard touchdown to bring the Commodores within 14 points with 7:22 remaining in the fourth quarter. It was the first touchdown of Adams' career.
But, as the wise pop singer JoJo once said, "It's too little too late."
2:05 Alabama 24, Vanderbilt 3
Fans are starting to head for the exits as Alabama's Terry Grant punched it in from two yards out. Couple that with a successful two-point conversion and you have Alabama 24, Vanderbilt 3 with 14:19 remaining in the ballgame.
2:01 Alabama 16, Vanderbilt 3
Not much new to report here as the Commodore offense remains ineffective and the Crimson Tide offense eats up clock by running the ball he football.
After three quarters, it's still Alabama 16, Vanderbilt 3. And the Tide have the ball inside the five-yard line.
1:46 Alabama 16, Vanderbilt 3
The Vanderbilt defense clamped down again and Leigh Tiffin came up short on his 48-yard field goal attempt, which means the Commodores still trail, 16-3.
While the offense has struggled mightily today, the defense deserves a ton of credit for its performance thus far.
1:40 Alabama 16, Vanderbilt 3
Mackenzi Adams took over for Chris Nickson on the second play of the drive after Nickson short-armed Justin Green, who was wide open over the middle. Adams found Earl Bennett on a slant for a first down, but overthrow Bennett on the next third-down attempt.
1:15 Halftime Update
-Time of Possession: UA 17:50, VU 12:10
-Total Yards: UA 200, VU 111
-Third down: UA 4-9, VU 1-8
-Chris Nickson: 5-17, 67 yards, 1 interception
1:05 Alabama 16, Vanderbilt 3
Thanks to two Vanderbilt penalties on one play, Leigh Tiffin kicked a 29-yard field goal to give Alabama a 16-3 halftime lead.
After a quick snack break, I'll post halftime stats and analysis.
12:56 Alabama 13, Vanderbilt 3
With Alabama driving, the Vanderbilt defense came up with another big stop on third down. This time, Brandon Bryant broke up John Parker Wilson's throw on third and three from the Commodore 31-yard line.
Leigh Tiffin's 50-yard field goal attempt missed wide left and Vandy takes over with 2:23 remaining in the first half.
12:37, Alabama 13, Vanderbilt 3
The Commodore defense delivered some big blows on the latest Alabama drive. Marcus Buggs crushed John Parker Wilson from the blindside and Steven Stone stopped Glen Coffee for a four-yard loss.
Still, the Crimson Tide took a 13-3 lead on a 40-yard field goal from Leigh Tiffin.
12:29 Alabama 10, Vanderbilt 3
Vandy safety Reshard Langford made a sick interception, picking off John Parker Wilson's screen pass with one hand, giving the Commodores the ball on the Alabama 36-yard line.
With fourth down and two from the 28-yard line, Vanderbilt elected to go for it. Nickson's pass for Jeff Jennings fell incomplete.
12:20 Alabama 10, Vanderbilt 3
The Crimson Tide just caught a huge break when Alex Washington's punt return for a touchdown was called back after an apparent face mask.
Vanderbilt quarterback Chris Nickson proceeded to throw an interception, and at the end of the first quarter, it's Alabama 10, Vanderbilt 3.
A few quick thoughts on the first 15 minutes of action:
-The Commodore defense is fired up and playing well
-Vanderbilt has been hit with two bad breaks: Earl Bennett was called for offensive pass interference and Washington's punt return was called back.
-Nickson has struggled early on, perhaps trying to do too much
12:12 Alabama 10, Vanderbilt 3
Vanderbilt's drive stalled inside the red zone, but kicker Bryant Hahnfeldt converted from 33 yards out to give the Commodores their first points of the afternoon. It's 10-3 Bama with 1:36 to go in the first quarter.
12:10 Alabama 10, Vanderbilt 0
The Vanderbilt defense forced Alabama to go three and out after linebacker Marcus Buggs sacked quarterback John Parker Wilson on third and four.
The Commodore offense is rolling now after Cassen Jackson-Garrison busted a 25-yard run on an option and Justin Green recorded a 17-yard catch. They are now inside the red zone.
11:55 Alabama 10, Vanderbilt 0
The Commodores missed tackles and blew assignments in coverage, but stopped the Tide on third and goal from the six-yard line. They now trail 10-0 with 8:19 remaining in the first quarter.
Vanderbilt needs to wake up quickly or it could be a long afternoon.
11:45 Alabama 7, Vanderbilt 0
Alabama's Javier Arenas returned Brett Upson's punt 69 yards and running back Terry Grant scored from one yard out on the next play to give the Tide an early 7-0 lead.
11:28
Good morning, folks.
10 minutes till kickoff here at Vanderbilt Stadium, where the Commodores (1-0) are set to battle Alabama (1-0) in their Southeastern Conference opener. The stands are filling up quickly, with approximately 70 percent wearing crimson.
I will be providing updates throughout the contest so be sure to check back often and feel free to email me at jarred.s.amato@vanderbilt.edu with questions or comments.
