GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Vanderbilt has been mediocre on the ground this year, averaging 4.1 yards per rush. Tennessee State has been stingy against the run, giving up 3.1 per carry, albeit against Bethune-Cookman and Eastern Illinois. The Commodores need a breakout game from either RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn or RB Jamauri Wakefield, and a game against an FCS opponent presents a good opportunity.
DRAFT SLANT
–CB JoeJuan Williams ranks sixth on the team with 17 tackles (14 solo), second in pass break-ups (three) and tied for the team lead with an interception. He leads the defense with 287 snaps and grades out as the team’s highest defender for the season, according to Pro Football Focus.
ROSTER REPORT:
–WR Cam Johnson, a true freshman who’d increasingly seen playing time, is done for the season with what coach Derek Mason termed “a lower leg injury.” Johnson, who had four catches for 45 yards, will get a redshirt year.
–S Zaire Jones made his second career start on Saturday against South Carolina and his first of the season. He had four total tackles and a fumble recovery.
–CB Allan George made his first career start against South Carolina. He had five tackles, tying a career high, and forced a fumble.