A 62 yard run by Zak Stacy and a pair of Razorback field goals in the third quarter put the Commodores up 28-20 with the ball at the start of the fourth quarter. On the opening play of the quarter Jordan Rodgers found Stacy for a 44 yard gain on a screen pass to convert a third and seven. That put Vanderbilt at the Arkansas 16 yard line. Rodgers gained 11 yards on the next play to set up first and goal from the 5 yard line. All of the momentum was with Franklin's squad and they rode the hot hand, giving Stacy the ball on first down for a gain to the 3. They went back to him on second and goal.
And then the game changed.
Stacy mishandled the handoff and fumbled at the Arkansas 6 yard line where it was picked up and returned 94 yards by Jerry Franklin. After the 2 point conversion made the score 28-28 all the air had been sucked out of Vanderbilt Stadium.
Total disaster was avoided after another fumble when Arkansas fumbled it back in the end zone, but the Commodores went three and out. Arkansas eventually got a Zach Hocker 42 yard field goal to take a 31-28 lead. Vanderbilt took over possession after a punt with just over three minutes to play needing a field goal of their own to force overtime. They drove to the Razorback 10 yard line on a drive highlighted by Rodgers completions of 48 and 14 yards to Jordan Matthews. That set up a 27 yard field goal that missed wide right, to the surprise of very few unfortunately.
Vanderbilt now need to find a way to bounce back emotionally. Yesterday was a setback for sure but their pre-season goals can still be met. Vanderbilt needs to focus on the fact that they had the tenth ranked team in the country on the ropes and that they were in control of the game. Yesterday should show them that they can line up in play with any of the teams remaining on their schedule.
They find themselves at 4-4 heading into November. They need 2 wins to reach bowl eligibility, which would be a huge success for James Franklin in his first year. They should beat Kentucky, which means they would need to win at least 1 of the 3 other remaining games (at Florida, at Tennessee, and at Wake Forest). All three of those games will probably see the opponent favored but should be considered toss-ups for the 'Dores.
Franklin promised that things were going to change at Vanderbilt under his watch. The first opportunity to prove that was squandered yesterday, but a 2-2 month in November would be the ultimate sign that things are different in Nashville.
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