On a sparkling Saturday afternoon under the Tennessee sun, the Texas Longhorns edged past Vanderbilt. Week 9 was rough on Texas by any reasonable measure of the word. Vanderbilt fired the first shots early on but failed to pull off the win. It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Texas Longhorns, either. It even felt like Texas Hold ‘Em with all the penalties they incurred throughout the game. Diego Pavia and the Vanderbilt Commodores had a mountain to climb and fell just short.
Week 9 Recap – Texas Longhorns Squeak By
Tennessee and the Vanderbilt Commodores saw quite the battle down at FirstBank Stadium on Saturday. After 108 yards of penalties, it wasn’t the Texas Longhorns’ prettiest win. Nevertheless, they managed to slap the Vanderbilt Commodores down by the end of the game.
1st Quarter
Things did not begin well for the Texas Longhorns this game. That initial flag on the starting kick might have been an omen. Texas started in a favorable position with Wide Receiver Matthew Golden returning. It wouldn’t last. It took Vanderbilt just three minutes to interfere in Texas’ plans and two more to score. The Texas Longhorns would not take this lying down, pushing their way forward. It was clear from the start that Running Back Tre Wisner was Quinn Ewers’ target. It would pay off the entire game.
As the Commodores were getting into the groove of the game, the Texas Longhorns hit back. Diego Pavia was sacked. Vanderbilt would get the last laugh, showing off their third down conversion prowess. After an 18-yard QB Scramble, Diego Pavia collided with the pylon to draw first blood. The Texas Longhorns may have started the quarter behind, but they quickly rallied.
Tre Wisner gained a couple of first downs before Wide Receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. rushed 32 yards and off the sideline. Running Back Jaydon Blue came into the game and immediately picked up some key yards. The Texas Longhorns, who notoriously struggle with third down conversions, picked up another first down by Moore Jr. This would be the catalyst for an electrifying one-handed touchdown catch by Matthew Golden. A forced Vanderbilt punt ended in a 24-yard return for Texas Longhorn Silas Bolden. Shortly after, DeAndre Moore Jr received another Ewers rocket and scored Texas’ second touchdown. The score was now 14-7 going into the 2nd quarter.
2nd Quarter
The second quarter started a little more positively for the Texas Longhorns. Safety Michael Taaffe recorded an interception tipped up by Edge Rusher Ethan Burke. The Texas Longhorns continued to make their way down the field, aided by Jaydon Blue. Play was briefly halted for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the Texas Longhorns after a helmet was dislodged.
After some more gains by Blue, Ewers passed to Texas Longhorn Gunnar Helm. The Tight End promptly disappeared under a sea of Vanderbilt players and was finally brought down. Quinn Ewers held steady at 15 consecutive completions up to this point. Kelvin Banks Jr recorded another Texas holding penalty, and Vanderbilt Linebacker Nick Rinaldi sacked Ewers.
A little before Texas’ third touchdown, they caught an amazing break. The special teams activated on a kick that was heading into the end zone. Texas caught it, jumped, and threw it back where it landed -amazingly- on the 1. DeAndre Moore Jr, an absolute fixture for the Texas Longhorns the entire game, scored the 25-yard receiving touchdown. At 17 for 17 and 200 yards since the pick, Quinn Ewers was back in business.
3rd Quarter
Vanderbilt was able to kick a field goal at the end of the first half. This quarter was the slowest by comparison, but it was not without action. The Commodores offense struggled to get going on multiple opportunities. Vanderbilt also faced serious concern last half when Diego Pavia was checked for injury. His Backup Quarterback Nate Johnson came in until Pavia returned with a knee brace.
An interception by Edge Rusher Miles Capers, tipped by Fontenette, gave Vanderbilt a spark. It wouldn’t be enough to get their offense going. Near the end of the quarter, Vanderbilt would get their next chance to capitalize. At 24-10, on 4th and goal, Diego Pavia struck gold. He passed through multiple Texas Longhorns to reach Wide Receiver Junior Sherrill for the touchdown.
4th Quarter
Vanderbilt pushed the Texas Longhorns as far as they could go. Texas is 43-5 as a top 5 team. Vanderbilt looks for their second win after that Alabama upset. Texas led 24-17 going into the quarter, then Ewers took another sack. Vandy made a huge 15-yard return on a 40-yard punt. At 12 minutes left in the game, Vanderbilt was again forced to punt.
Yet another holding penalty later, Quinn Ewers was sacked for the fourth time. The good news was the progress the Texas Longhorns made with their third down conversions. Ewers showed patience getting out of the pocket and passing to Silas Bolden. It went nowhere as the next Ewers rocket was fired into the sideline. Diego Pavia and the Vanderbilt Commodores made a valiant attempt in the fourth quarter. The Texas Longhorns fought hard as well. Jaydon Blue stepped out of bounds just before the touchdown. He was then wrestled down at the five and Vanderbilt forced a field goal. Kicker Bert Auburn drilled it in for Texas’ last score at 27-17.
After the field goal, Vanderbilt’s Junior Sherrill made a huge catch. The final two minutes were well underway when Texas made a big accompanied by several flags. A video review was called for potential targeting and the penalty was awarded to Vanderbilt. Texas Longhorns Defensive Lineman Vernon Broughton was disqualified from the game. This costly error erased a 72-yard interception return for Defensive Back Kobe Black.
Pavia was nearly sacked but threw incomplete once Texas Longhorns Edge Ethan Burke came after him. Vanderbilt’s last gasp came after one more huge completion. Diego Pavia engineered an eight-yard touchdown to Tight End Eli Stowers in the last minute. Following that last extra point, Vanderbilt would finally fall, 27-24.
Final Thoughts
Being far from home wouldn’t deter the Texas Longhorns. In their first trip to Tennessee in nearly a century, they established dominance, albeit in a somewhat roundabout way. Things typically happened as were expected to happen, such as strong quarterback performances. Quinn Ewers is gaining ground, having thrown a touchdown in 19 straight games. Diego Pavia and the Vanderbilt Commodores had the big plays but couldn’t snag the win. With this Vanderbilt victory, Texas’ chances rise to fourth-best in the sport The Texas Longhorns will not face another SEC opponent this season until their closeout against rivals Texas A&M in November.
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