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Austyn Carta-Samuels earned a win in his first start as a 'Dore, throwing for 195 yards and a touchdown as his team rolled over an over matched Presbyterian team. He provided an accurate and stable presence behind center, but it's unknown whether or not he'll keep that role as a showdown with Georgia looms. The quarterback competition between him and Jordan Rodgers will be a significant storyline as Vanderbilt prepares for the Bulldogs.
Carta-Samuels was solid behind center, but Vanderbilt was led by their running game against the Blue Hose. Four different tailbacks had touchdowns as the 'Dores ran for 410 yards in the contest. Zac Stacy led all rushers with 174 yards on only eight carries. He started the game with an 86-yard touchdown run on Vandy's first play of the game, and saw little action after the first quarter.
Wesley Tate, Brian Kimbrow, and Warren Norman all took care of business in his stead. Tate showed his value as a goal-line presence with two touchdowns, while Norman looked solid - in unspectacular - in his first action of 2012. The real story may have been Kimbrow's breakout, though. The freshman was simply too fast for his FCS opponent, and he used that advantage to run for 137 yards on 14 carries, including a 49-yard touchdown romp where no Blue Hose defender got even close to him.
Vanderbilt left their starters in the ballgame through the third quarter, allowing the offense to get more reps after an uneven start to the season. Carta-Samuels came out in the fourth quarter to make way for senior John Townsley, who saw his first action of the season. Jordan Rodgers, who started Vandy's first two games at quarterback, saw action only as a holder for Carey Spear's field goals and extra point attempts.
The win improves the Commodores to 1-2 on the season, and it was the first win on record for Vanderbilt's highly touted recruiting class of 2012. Three members of that class - Kimbrow, Darreon Herring, and Caleb Azubike - each had big impacts in the blowout win. Can Vanderbilt roll that momentum into next week's big SEC showdown?