PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Kyle Shurmur set the school touchdown record last week with his 60th touchdown pass, breaking Jay Cutler’s mark. Shurmur has completed 61.4 percent of his 334 throws for 2,477 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions this season.
–RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn played with what appeared to be a tender ankle last week, but still managed 25 carries for 127 yards and a touchdown. Vaughn, a Tennessee native, has rushed for 976 yards, caught passes for 137, averaged 7.1 per carry and scored 12 touchdowns.
–S LaDarius Wiley appears to be healthier than he was earlier in the season. Wiley responded with his best game of the year in a win over Ole Miss, as he picked off a pass, forced a fumble and had five solo tackles.
–ILB Jordan Griffin leads Vanderbilt with 106 total tackles and 53 solo stops. Griffin has picked off a pass, broken up five, recovered two fumbles and forced another.
SERIES HISTORY: According to Vanderbilt, the Vols lead the series, 75-32-5. Tennessee credits VU with one fewer win in the series. The Commodores have won the last two.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “You game plan for the team’s best players. If you do anything else, you’re fooling themselves. … In my opinion, their best players are Calloway and Guarantano.” — Coach Derek Mason, on how he’ll prepare for Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Calloway and quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, who are both questionable for Saturday.
