3 Reasons Why: Vandy couldn't upset Auburn
By Zach Bingham The Commodores played their hearts out on Saturday, but it wasn't enough to upset the Auburn Tigers. This play gave Vandy a shot to tie the game and in my opinion should make Zach Cunningham the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. QB Kyle Shurmur probably played his best game against an SEC […]
By Zach Bingham
The Commodores played their hearts out on Saturday, but it wasn't enough to upset the Auburn Tigers. This play gave Vandy a shot to tie the game and in my opinion should make Zach Cunningham the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
QB Kyle Shurmur probably played his best game against an SEC opponent, going 24/36 for 221 yards and a TD. But the one interception Shurmur threw with under a minute left to play, sealed the victory for the Auburn, 23-16
Here are 3 Reasons Why: It wasn't enough for Vandy
The Interception
Quarterback Kyle Shurmur was poised throughout the entire game, throwing strike after strike. For the first time all year, I applaud the game plan by offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig. He didn't ask his quarterback to do too much and helped him out by scheming short passes.
Like this one.
The game sealing play, though, came with :36 seconds left in the 4th quarter when Shurmur was intercepted by Auburn cornerback Joshua Holsey. There seemed to be a miscommunication on the play between Shurmur and his receiver. That was it for Vandy, as Auburn ran out the clock to end the game.
That is now three game tying drives that Vanderbilt has came up short this season. They couldn't get it done, down seven, against Florida, Kentucky and now Auburn.
Indisputable Video Evidence
Obviously the SEC referees have no clue what this means. The momentum shift in the game was decided in the replay booth.
This play, that was ruled a fumble on the field, was overturned by the official as they cited indisputable video evidence. Shortly thereafter, QB Sean White completed a pass to Darius Slayton for a 21 yard touchdown.
Auburn never trailed after that.
Auburn QB Sean White
White was unable to practice all week, which opened the door for backup QB John Franklin III, which opened the door for Vanderbilt.
Franklin III was awful.
At halftime, Auburn had only six yards passing. Once Sean White entered the game, the Tigers offense started to wake up. White was 10/13 for 106 yards and a touchdown, in only one half of play. If Franklin III would have stayed in the game, Vanderbilt's chances of winning would have gone up astronomically.
Auburn's SEC West hopes are still alive with two conference games left against Georgia and #1 Alabama.
