Killer instinct, that ability to take the opponent out of the game down the stretch, has not always been an attribute exhibited by Vanderbilt.

Last year, in search of the one win they needed in their last three games of the season, the Commodores gave up 47 points in the second half of those games. The result: a dissapointing end to the season and no bowl appearance.

This year, however, perhaps the biggest sign that the Commodore faithful are seeing a "new" Vanderbilt has once again manifested itself in the second half of games. The Dores have given up a total of just 10 points in their first three games this season.

Just about anyone you ask right now will tell you, Vanderbilt is quickly becoming a closer and a force in the second half. The team exhibited that winning mentality by shutting out the Rice Owls 17-0 in the second half of a 38-21 victory that kept Vanderbilt undefeated.

"Vanderbilt is a physical team and that wore on us," said Rice head coach David Bailiff. "We couldn't establish any rhythm or timing in the second half."

In a game that's all about adjustments, Vanderbilt made their best one as of yet at halftime against the Owls: stop making adjustments.

"We were trying to match up every little thing that they were doing and we started to make fewer adjustments in the second half," said Vanderbilt head coach Bobby Johnson. "We went to a more basic defense and just tried to put more pressure on the quarterback."

Less is definitely more on defense, especially when it comes to how much time the defensive unit spends on the field. On Saturday night, once again, Vanderbilt's ball control offense helped seal the deal down the stretch, keeping Rice's dynamic passing attack from getting any real momentum in the second half.

Perhaps the strongest example of Vanderbilt's keep-away game has been seen in the form of its emerging running back. Redshirt junior Jared Hawkins has run for career highs in each of the last two games, with 84 yards against South Carolina and 107 yards against Rice. Between him and the elusive redshirt senior quarterback Chris Nickson, Vanderbilt has kept the clock rolling down the stretch this season, literally running the time out on opponents.

Killer instinct, however, above all else, is a mentality of self-assuredness. In the past two weeks, Vanderbilt has overcome shaky first halves and chosen perserverence over panic in the final 30 minutes.
"When our guys had to step up, they did," Johnson said. "Our offense and defense came up with some big plays tonight."