NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt opened its season with a 28-9 victory over Austin Peay on Saturday night at FirstBank Stadium, although Mother Nature prevented the Commodores from officially running out the clock.
Lightning in the area stopped play with 2:16 remaining in the fourth quarter. With Vanderbilt holding a 19 point advantage, officials and representatives from both schools ultimately decided to call the game rather than wait through the weather delay.
The unusual ending capped a night in which Vanderbilt pulled away after a competitive opening quarter.
Quarterback Blaze Berlowitz made the first start of his college career and finished with 149 passing yards while adding 45 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea praised the young quarterback’s composure in his first opportunity to lead the offense as a starter.
The Commodores also gave highly touted freshman quarterback Jared Curtis his first taste of college football. Curtis entered shortly before halftime and later returned in the fourth quarter.
On his first collegiate snap, Curtis connected with Ja’Cory Thomas for 17 yards. He completed seven of his nine passes for 60 yards and added another 22 yards on three rushing attempts.
Lea indicated after the game that Vanderbilt plans to continue using both quarterbacks for the foreseeable future.
Austin Peay briefly grabbed the lead during the first quarter when Chris Parson found Denver Harper for a touchdown, putting the Governors ahead 6-5.
Vanderbilt responded in the second quarter.
Kicker Brock Taylor connected on a pair of field goals, including a 37 yard attempt that gave the Commodores an 8-6 advantage they would not surrender.
Special teams also provided one of Vanderbilt’s more unusual scoring plays of the night. After Austin Peay’s touchdown, Martel Hight returned a blocked extra point attempt for two points.
Running back Sedrick Alexander helped Vanderbilt establish control on the ground, finishing with 60 rushing yards and an 18 yard touchdown.
The Commodores added another major special teams play early in the fourth quarter. Following a high snap on an Austin Peay punt attempt, Josiah Broxton returned the loose ball 27 yards for a touchdown, helping Vanderbilt stretch its advantage to 28-9.
Austin Peay quarterback Chris Parson finished with 116 passing yards and one touchdown. Hamilton DiBoyan supplied the Governors’ remaining points with a 51 yard field goal.
Vanderbilt’s defense consistently created pressure throughout the night, recording five sacks and making life difficult for the Austin Peay passing game.
There were still several areas Vanderbilt will want to address before moving deeper into its schedule. The Commodores committed nine penalties for 73 yards, including mistakes that directly affected scoring opportunities.
A holding penalty erased a six yard Alexander touchdown on Vanderbilt’s opening possession, forcing the Commodores to settle for a field goal. Later, a personal foul against Hight helped extend the drive that eventually produced Austin Peay’s only touchdown.
The night ultimately ended without the traditional postgame celebration.
With lightning approaching the stadium and most fans already leaving the stands, the two teams did not return to finish the final 2:16. Lea said afterward that while he disliked missing the usual handshakes, alma mater and celebration with Vanderbilt fans, ending the game was the appropriate decision given the circumstances.
Vanderbilt will remain at home next Saturday when the Commodores host Delaware.
Austin Peay returns home to face Morehead State.
