Vanderbilt Runs Through Wake Forest 55-21 for Their 8th Win

James Franklin promised a change at Vanderbilt. On Saturday, he matched a school record that hadn’t been touched since 1955.

The Commodores won their sixth straight game to close out the regular season, a feat that hadn’t been accomplished in 57 years. His team ran all over Wake Forest en route a 55-21 victory Saturday afternoon. Vanderbilt rode a big first half to notch their eighth win of the season and give this team their most wins since 1982′s Hall of Fame Bowl team. It also gave this team their first season where they’ve scored 50 points or more in two games since 1942.

The Demon Deacons looked like they would make this one a game after they tied the score at 7-7 after their first possession, but they had few answers for Vanderbilt’s scoring output on Saturday. The ‘Dores scored three straight touchdowns in the second quarter to effective put this one away before halftime. Things only got worse for Wake Forest when their first drive after halftime ended with a blocked punt that Casey Hughes fell on in the end zone. That made in 35-7 with 29 minutes to play and put Vandy on the path to their eighth win of the season.

Jordan Rodgers had 229 passing yards in an offensive effort that slowed considerably after the first half. He was replaced by Austyn Carta-Samuels midway through the fourth quarter.

Jordan Matthews was the man of the hour before halftime. He tied a career high with 10 receptions in the first two quarters alone, racking up 144 yards and a touchdown in the process. He provide some highlight-reel fodder in the second quarter when he scooped up an underthrown pass intended for Kris Kentera and took it 64 yards to give Vandy a 21-7 lead.

Zac Stacy also had a memorable day for Vanderbilt. His 90-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter secured a pair of milestones for the senior tailback. His 180-yard performance gave him over 3,000 rushing yards for his career and back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the first time in school history.

The offensive output continued a trend that has defined the second half of Vandy’s season. Saturday’s game marked the fourth time in Vanderbilt’s last five games where the ‘Dores sprung for 40 points or more. After a frustrating first half, James Franklin’s team has developed into one of the most exciting teams to watch in the SEC.

Now they’ll wait to hear what bowl game lies in their future.

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