Vanderbilt’s dream season continues
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Jay Cutler threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns as Vanderbilt improved to 4-0 for the first time since 1984 with a 37-13 victory over Division I-AA Richmond on Saturday night.
Long the doormat of the Southeastern Conference, Vanderbilt has seen 22 consecutive losing seasons.
“I can’t say enough about how this has all come together,” said quarterback Jay Cutler, who completed 28 of 40 passes for 263 yards and three touchdowns. “Everyone is supporting us and is fired up. The crowd was unbelievable and I’m glad we put on a good show for them.”
The 38,446 in attendance made up the largest crowd at Vanderbilt Stadium since Auburn visited on Sept. 29, 2001.
Cutler set the school’s total yardage record with 6,769 and also broke the touchdown record with 44.
Cassen Jackson-Garrison rushed for 119 yards on 11 carries, including a 61-yard touchdown run. Freshman receiver Earl Bennett had 11 catches for 124 yards.
“He arrived tonight,” Cutler said of Bennett. “He’s been making big catches all year. He’s solid.”
Quarterback Stacy Tutt led the way for Richmond (1-3, 1-1 Atlantic 10) with 277 total yards as the Spiders gained a season-high 337 yards.
“They gave us some problems defensively,” Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson said. “We played well when we had to.”
Vanderbilt (2-0 SEC) put together three TD drives of 80 yards or more and scored on five consecutive possessions after opening the game with a punt.
Vanderbilt, which had more than 400 yards in every game this season, gained 513 yards against the Spiders.
“Everything is just clicking right now for us,” Cutler said. “We are keeping people off balance, (offensive coordinator Ted) Cain is doing a great job of putting game plans together and we are executing.”
Jeff Jennings scored two touchdowns, one receiving and one rushing, giving him seven on the season.
The Commodores broke open a relatively close game with two touchdowns to start the third quarter. Cutler hit Jennings with a 5-yard TD pass to cap an 80-yard drive and Jackson-Garrison scored on a 61-yard run six plays later as Vanderbilt built a 31-6 lead.
Vanderbilt led 17-6 at halftime on a 5-yard touchdown run by Jennings, a 5-yard reception by Erik Davis and a 43-yard field goal by Bryant Hahnfeldt.
The Commodores have beaten a Division I-AA school in each of coach Bobby Johnson’s four seasons at the school by an average score of 39-11. Vandy is two wins from becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 1982.