Vanderbilt takes first loss of the season at Auburn
AUBURN, Ala. — Vanderbilt outscored Auburn in the second half Saturday, but the Tigers held on to win 21-15 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
The Commodores outgained the Tigers, 311-279, but Auburn converted seven of its 15 third-down attempts while Vanderbilt was just 4-for-17.
Vanderbilt opened the scoring in the first quarter as Brock Taylor drilled a 39-yard field goal after Miles Capers snagged his second career interception.
Auburn responded with a 33-yard touchdown pass from Byrum Brown to Chas Nimrod to go up 7-3 on the ensuing drive. With 8:56 to go in the second quarter, the Tigers blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown to take a 14-3 lead.
Both teams had chances to add to the scoreboard in the closing minutes of the first half, but missed field goals at both ends of the field kept the score at 14-3 heading into the break.
The Commodores got the ball first to start the third quarter and drove 75 yards on 14 plays, finding the end zone on a 3-yard rush by Sedrick Alexander. Alexander’s 30th career rushing touchdown moved him into a tie for second on Vanderbilt’s all-time rushing touchdown list.
Vandy went for two after the Alexander score, but failed on the attempt, as Auburn’s lead remained at five. The Tigers put together a touchdown drive of their own to take a 21-9 advantage.
Taylor connected on his second field goal in the third quarter and added his third in the fourth, as the Commodores made it a 21-15 game with just over six minutes remaining.
Auburn was able to pick up enough first downs to run out the clock and end Vanderbilt’s streak of back-to-back wins in the series.
Jared Curtis finished with 245 total yards of offense, as the freshman quarterback threw for 199 yards and added a team-high 46 yards on the ground. Junior Sherrill totaled 95 yards on six receptions, as he has now had a catch in 41-straight games.
Vanderbilt falls to 3-1 on the season and 0-1 in SEC play. The Dores will face No. 2 Georgia next Saturday on the road.
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