SEC

Vandy lays claim to bragging rights

Vanderbilt wide receiver Chris Boyd (80) catches an 11-yard touchdown pass in front of Tennessee defensive back Marsalis Teague (10) during the second quarter of the Commodores’ 41-18 victory over the Volunteers on Saturday in Nashville, Tenn.
Vanderbilt wide receiver Chris Boyd (80) catches an 11-yard touchdown pass in front of Tennessee defensive back Marsalis Teague (10) during the second quarter of the Commodores’ 41-18 victory over the Volunteers on Saturday in Nashville, Tenn.

— Vanderbilt ended years of frustration at the hands of their in-state rival Tennessee with one of its best victories in decades.

Making their celebration even sweeter?

The Commodores also ensured Tennessee’s third consecutive losing season, putting Volunteers Coach Derek Dooley’s job status in further jeopardy with a 41-18 victory Saturday night.

Andre Hal intercepted two passes and Jordan Rodgers threw for two touchdowns as Vanderbilt (7-4, 5-3 SEC) routed Tennessee (4-7, 0-7) for the Commodores’ fifth consecutive victory, clinching their first winning record in the regular season since 1982.

“I’d like to start by saying the one thing that Vanderbilt always does is focus on being 1-0 this week,” Commodores Coach James Franklin said in a play on Dooley’s proclamation last year that Tennessee “always” beats Vanderbilt. “I know how much this means to the fans. I know how much this means to our alumni.”

In-state rival Tennessee had won 34 of the past 36 games in this series coming into this game. The Commodores also snapped a 14-game skid against Tennessee at home with their first victory in Nashville since 1982 and the most points they’ve scored against the Vols since a 51-7 victory) in 1923.

It’s why Franklin sent his Commodores back onto the field to celebrate with fans who stuck around to enjoy the moment in what he called a building program with a long way to go.

“This is what we all envisioned when we came here, that we could build something special here at Vanderbilt right here in Nashville. We are Nashville’s team,” Franklin said.

Vanderbilt also had its biggest margin of victory over Tennessee since a 26-0 victory in 1954 in a game the Commodores were held to a pair of field goals by Carey Spear after having first-and-goal at the Volunteers’ 5 and closer.The Commodores also won five SEC games for the first time since 1935.

“I think it is a testament to them staying with us through the tough times,” Rodgers said. “We’ve had a lot of tough times. It has been since ’82 since we beat Tennessee here. They’ve been waiting a long time for that. So we wanted to make sure to celebrate with them and honor them.”

The Vols haven’t had three consecutive losing seasons since 1909-1911. They also will miss out on a bowl game in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1976-1978. Dooley was at a loss after the game when asked about his job security.

SYRACUSE 31, MISSOURI 27

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Ryan Nassib threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Alec Lemon with 20 seconds to go, capping a 21-point fourth quarter as Syracuse spoiled Missouri’s home finale.

Lemon had 12 receptions for 244 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 13-yard catch that tied it at 17-17 earlier in the fourth. After trailing 17-3 early, the Orangemen (6-5) followed up on a 45-26 upset of previously unbeaten Louisville a week earlier and became bowl eligible for the second time in three seasons.

Andrew Baggett’s 46-yard field goal with 1:52 to play had put Missouri, which was playing without injured quarterback James Franklin, up by three.

Kendial Lawrence had 119 yards on 27 carries with a fourth-quarter touchdown for the Tigers (5-6), who need a victory at No. 8 Texas A&M next week to become bowl eligible for the eighth consecutive season. Backup quarterback Corbin Berkstresser led Missouri to 10 points in the fourth quarter after replacing Franklin, described as “woozy” by the team’s radio broadcast after getting hit the previous drive.

Nassib was 26 for 40 for 385 yards and 2 touchdowns, setting a school career record for yards passing. He had entered the game only 6 yards shy of the mark of 8,466 yards set by Marvin Graves in 1990-1993.

All three of Syracuse’s scoring drives in the fourth quarter, including an 8-yard run by Jerome Smith that tied it at 24-24 with 5:33 to go in the fourth quarter, lasted less than two minutes.

The Orangemen ended Missouri’s 18-game winning streak against nonconference opponents, the school’s best in the modern era.

KENTUCKY 34, SAMFORD 3

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Freshman Jalen Whitlow passed for one touchdown and ran for another, Raymond Sanders rushed for a career-high 123 yards and a touchdown and Kentucky blew out Samford to end an eight-game losing streak.

The Wildcats (2-7) had their highest point total since beating Kent State 47-14 on Sept. 8. Kentucky’s skid led to the Nov. 4 firing of Coach Joker Phillips, who will finish the season Saturday at Tennessee.

Whitlow completed 10 of 13 passes for 66 yards and an 11-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Gene McCaskill. He also rushed 20 yards for a touchdown and finished with 59 yards on seven carries.

Sanders rushed 14 yards for a touchdown that made it 24-3. Tristian Johnson followed with a 25-yard fumble return for a touchdown.

Kentucky, which scored on six of its first eight drives, out gained Samford 455 yards to 102.

Sports, Pages 35 on 11/18/2012

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