# Jared Curtis Leads Vanderbilt Past Delaware in 35-26 Win

- Link: https://exclusiveaccess.net/jared-curtis-leads-vanderbilt-past-delaware-in-35-26-win/
- Published: 2026-09-14T23:13:57-04:00
- Author: Joshua Richter

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.