Vanderbilt Head Coach Robbie Caldwell emphasized the importance of a jumpstart for his squad.
“We need some confidence,” Caldwell said. “We need some good things. Every game so far, it has taken, as I refer to it, someone to ‘strike a match’ to get the fire started. It has to be a kick return, or an interception or a deep punt.”
On Saturday night, John Cole struck the match that would ignite an inferno, as Vanderbilt rolled to a 52-6 win over Eastern Michigan.
After Eastern Michigan (0-6, 0-3) went three-and-out on the opening possession of the contest, Cole broke free on a 54-yard punt return, to set the Commodores on the 1-yard line.
“We haven't been able to capitalize in the first quarter all year,” Cole said. “So that was big for the offense, to get it started."
On the ensuing play, quarterback Larry Smith picked up where Cole left off. His sneak into the end zone gave the Commodores a lead they would not relinquish.
It figured especially important for Vanderbilt (2-3 overall, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) to get down to business early, in the wake of their lackluster second half at Connecticut.
“It was huge for us, as far as a confidence boost,” Smith said. “We came out here and executed pretty well.”
Not to be outdone on the ground, tailback Warren Norman notched a 19-yard run early in the second quarter, the first of his two touchdowns. The sophomore finished with 75 rushing yards on 14 carries.
While the rushing attack fell into sync first, Smith’s passing game would not remain too far behind. With just over four minutes to play before intermission, he connected with receiver Udom Umoh for a 65-yard touchdown strike, his first of the day.
Smith connected on 16 completions on 27 attempts for 253 yards and two touchdowns.
“(Larry) did a great job of running the team and getting the right play,” Caldwell said. “He just did what he was supposed to do: check the play, read the play, put us in the right position.”
On the subsequent Commodore drive, Smith completed seven of eight passes (to five different receivers), the final of which was a score by Mason Johnston —his first career reception.
“It was huge for us, I think, going into halftime, putting more points on the board,” Smith said. “A big confidence booster, especially when we knew we were going to get the ball to begin the second half.”
Zac Stacy must have received the confidence boost as well. The sophomore added a 67-yard scamper midway through the third quarter to extend the Vanderbilt advantage to 38–6.
Yet, as Cole’s efforts started the night, it would be fitting that he ended the party as well.
In relief of Smith, redshirt senior Jared Funk connected with Cole on a 57-yard touchdown pass.
“I've had (the explosiveness). It's nice to be able to show it and to get some room to run, so that was good,” Cole said. “My production in the previous weeks has not been where I wanted it to be. It was good to be able to step up.”
He certainly did step up, tallying four receptions for 103 yards and that late touchdown.
“(Cole) is feeling good,” Caldwell said. “I’m excited for him because he made some moves tonight, and you got to see some of his speed; that has been missing for a while.”
Luckily for the Commodores, that speed is no longer missing. And, they’ll certainly need all of it for the date with Georgia next weekend in Athens.
