NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt survived a tough test from Delaware on Saturday afternoon, pulling away in the second half for a 35-26 victory at FirstBank Stadium.
The Commodores entered the game looking to build on their season-opening win over Austin Peay, but Delaware made the afternoon difficult from the start.
Vanderbilt jumped out to a 14-0 lead before momentum shifted in the second quarter. Delaware scored 17 unanswered points and took a 17-14 lead into halftime, sending the Commodores to the locker room trailing for the first time this season.
Freshman quarterback Jared Curtis helped Vanderbilt regain control after the break.
Curtis led the Commodores down the field to open the second half and finished the drive with his second rushing touchdown of the game. Vanderbilt’s special teams added another score when Austin Howard blocked a Delaware punt and recovered it in the end zone.
Curtis then connected with Walter Taylor for a touchdown to give Vanderbilt a 35-17 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Delaware refused to go away. The Blue Hens scored nine unanswered points in the final period, cutting Vanderbilt’s lead to 35-26 and giving themselves a chance to make things interesting late.
Vanderbilt’s defense eventually sealed the win when Cayden Daniels intercepted Delaware quarterback Nick Minicucci in the closing minutes.
Curtis finished 14 of 22 passing for 210 yards and a touchdown while adding two rushing scores. Jayvontay Conner caught six passes for 87 yards, while Junior Sherrill finished with five receptions for 94 yards.
Delaware running back Jo Silver rushed for 109 yards on 16 carries, while Da’Wain Lofton recorded 142 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Despite the nine-point final margin, the teams were relatively close statistically throughout the afternoon. One of Vanderbilt’s biggest advantages came in the red zone, where the Commodores converted four of five opportunities into touchdowns.
The victory moved Vanderbilt to 2-0 on the season. The Commodores return to FirstBank Stadium on Sept. 19 for their final nonconference matchup against NC State.
