Close hasn’t been enough for Vanderbilt. Three times this year, they’ve played games against Power Five teams (Notre Dame, Kentucky, Missouri) decided by seven points or less.
All five times, VU has lost. The latest was a 33-28 loss at Missouri.
“Versus Missouri, our guys played good football for a great stretch of that game,” Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason said. “About eight minutes of that football game, we’d like to have back.”
That one was well within VU’s reach. Vandy led 21-10 late in the first half. Missouri didn’t lead until Drew Lock’s 3-yard run accounted for the final margin.
The turning point was when Missouri stopped VU running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn on fourth-and-goal from just outside the 1. Vandy tried four rushing plays that drive after a first-and-goal from the 5 situation.
The Tiger defense stopped Vaughn short as he tried to dive over. The Tigers took the ball, went 14 plays and 99 yards and ended it with Lock’s run.
These games always offer what-might-have been moments. The Commodores mis-managed the clock — not the first time that’s happened — and could have saved themselves about 20 seconds on the last possession, which was set up when Missouri kicker Tucker McCann missed a 31-yard field goal with 1:48 left, had they taken a time out earlier preceding the play.
Those seconds proved costly. The Commodores’ last play came from third-and-four from the Missouri, a play preceded by quarterback Kyle Shurmur spiking the ball. Shurmur threw into the end zone for tight end Jared Pinkney, who was in double coverage and couldn’t make the catch.
Mason also noted his team missed a 41-yard field goal that could have changed the situation. That would have allowed VU a field goal try for a one-point win.
“Situation football is critical, Mason said. “We’re good at it sometimes and not good at others.”
The Notre Dame game ended in similar fashion, with Vandy turning the ball over on downs at the Irish 31 with 2:31 left. Notre Dame eventually punted and left VU five seconds left to drive 90 yards.
