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09/05 22:32 CDT Vanderbilt opens with 28-9 win over Austin Peay with lightning
ending game early
Vanderbilt opens with 28-9 win over Austin Peay with lightning ending game early
By TERESA M. WALKER
AP Sports Writer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) --- Blaze Berlowitz threw for 149 yards and ran for 45
yards and a touchdown as Vanderbilt beat Austin Peay 28-9 in the Commodores'
season opener Saturday night that ended with 2:16 left after lightning near the
stadium stopped play.
Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea and Austin Peay coach Jeff Faris huddled with the
referees and officials on the field. Then the public announcer said the game
was over with the stands mostly emptied before fireworks went off.
"I hated the way it ended," Lea said. "I hate not being able to shake hands. I
hate not being able to sing the alma mater. I hate to not being able to
celebrate with our fans, but it was the right thing and so I appreciate our
ability to do that."
Lea credited Faris with bringing up the idea of calling the game wanting to
kneel out the clock after reaching the 2-minute warning. Officials from both
universities and the Southeastern Conference also had to agree, and Lea said it
was in everybody's best interest with the game out of hand at that point.
Asked if he wanted to end the game or return after a lightning delay, Faris
said, "That was a decision by the officials and the administration.
Berlowitz made the first start of his career with some of the biggest cheers
were reserved for freshman quarterback Jared Curtis, who flipped his commitment
from Georgia last December. Curtis made his debut just before halftime and
finished up in the fourth quarter after Vanderbilt went up 28-9.
"I thought Blaze was an absolute pro," Lea said.
Brock Taylor kicked two field goals, his second from 37 yards putting
Vanderbilt ahead to stay at 8-6 in the second quarter. Martel Hight returned a
blocked extra point for a 2-point conversion, and Sedrick Alexander ran for 60
yards and an 18-yard TD.
Josiah Broxton returned a rushed punt after a high snap 27 yards for a TD to
pad Vanderbilt's lead to start the fourth quarter.
Chris Parson threw for 116 yards and a TD to Denver Harper giving the FCS-level
Governors (1-1) a 6-5 lead in the first quarter. Hamilton DiBoyan also added a
51-yard field goal.
Curtis showed off his strong arm on his first play, a 17-yard pass to Ja'Cory
Thomas. He finished 7 of 9 for 60 yards passing and ran three times for 22
yards. Lea said Vanderbilt will play two quarterbacks as long as needed.
The Takeaway Austin Peay: The Governors struggled to protect Parson giving up five sacks. Vanderbilt: Coach Clark Lea will have plenty to clean up after nine penalties for 73 yards. A holding call that wiped out Alexander's 6-yard TD run forced the Commodores to settle for a field goal on the opening drive. A personal foul on Hight came a play before Austin Peay's lone TD.
Up next Austin Peay hosts Morehead State on Saturday. Vanderbilt hosts Delaware on Saturday. ___ Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here, visit the Top 25 here and see AP's full college football coverage here
The Takeaway Austin Peay: The Governors struggled to protect Parson giving up five sacks. Vanderbilt: Coach Clark Lea will have plenty to clean up after nine penalties for 73 yards. A holding call that wiped out Alexander's 6-yard TD run forced the Commodores to settle for a field goal on the opening drive. A personal foul on Hight came a play before Austin Peay's lone TD.
Up next Austin Peay hosts Morehead State on Saturday. Vanderbilt hosts Delaware on Saturday. ___ Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here, visit the Top 25 here and see AP's full college football coverage here
