Two high scoring quarters doomed the UMass Minutemen in their first ever meeting with the Vanderbilt Commodores, dropping their eight consecutive game in blowout fashion, 49-7, on Saturday night in Nashville, Tennessee.
UMass (0-8, 0-4 MAC) totaled 264 yards and was plagued by two turnovers (both interceptions) and 11 penalties accounting for 94 yards. Mike Wegzyn completed 15-of-27 passes for 162 yards and threw an interception while A.J. Doyle threw for 48 yards on 8-of-14 passing and was also picked off once. Michael Cox rushed for 56 yards on 17 carries and Marken Michel led all Minutemen receivers with 56 yards on six catches.
Vanderbilt (4-4, 2-3 SEC) only scored once in the first quarter, but the Commodores offense -- which totaled 443 yards on a balanced 217 passing yards and 226 rushing yards -- struck for 14 points in the second quarter and 28 in the third before being outscored by the Minutemen, 7-0, in the final period.
The lone Minutemen touchdown came with 6:05 remaining when Doyle found Deion Walker for a 10-yard score, completing an 11-play, 55-yard drive.
Jordan Rodgers had 217 passing yards and two touchdowns, Brian Kimbrow ran for 98 yards and one score and Jordan Matthews had 112 receiving yards.
UMass gets back to work next Saturday afternoon against Northern Illinois.
For more UMass Football coverage, visit our MAC blog, Hustle Belt.