Rapid reaction from Vanderbilt’s stunning 35-31 win over NC State on Sept. 19 at FirstBank Stadium:
101 – The heat index in Nashville at kickoff time, and it would only climb higher during the game. The punishing heat clearly impacted the turnout of fans (and students) at this game. For those who did opt out, I mean, could you blame them? As for the players, these weren’t ideal conditions to have to fight back all afternoon from an early deficit.
The comeback nearly happened without the late fumble. Vanderbilt was driving to tie or take the lead when Curtis went for too much, trying an unwise pass that was intercepted near the goal line by safety Brody Barnhardt with 1:04 remaining. But that play happening on the goal line led to the game-deciding fumble.
Given how this was going in the first half, Vanderbilt could’ve been blown out by NC State. It wasn’t because of its quarterback. Curtis isn’t there yet, obviously, but you can already see the talent and potential. He’s already a difference-maker for a Vanderbilt team that needs more around him.
Vanderbilt has two of the better running backs in the SEC, and you’d never know that by watching this game. These Commodores must be able to run the football to have a chance offensively. That starts up front, and the O-Line simply isn’t getting it done. Not enough push. Too many penalties. If the best Vandy can muster offensively is Curtis scrambling around, evading rushers and trying to make something happen on the fly, some ugly losses await in SEC play.
Reach Tennessean sports columnist Gentry Estes at gestes@tennessean.com and hang out with him on Bluesky @gentryestes.bsky.social
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