Alabama A&M @ Vanderbilt preview

Vanderbilt won its season opener last week for the first time since 2011, and enters Saturday’s home opener against Alabama A&M with plenty of momentum thanks to a strong start by quarterback Kyle Shurmur. The Commodores, who feature one of the better running backs in the nation in Ralph Webb, rode Shurmur’s three touchdowns and 296 yards passing to a convincing 28-6 victory over Middle Tennessee State in the opener.

Shurmur, who passed for 1,162 yards combined in his final four games a season ago, was sharp in his 2017 debut – completing 13 of his first 14 pass attempts and directed three scoring drives of 75 yards or longer. “I don’t think we’re satisfied where we’re at, but it’s definitely a good start,” Shurmur told reporters afterward. The Commodores were solid offensively, converting 8-of-16 third-down attempts while defensively, Vanderbilt limited Middle Tennessee State to only 215 yards of total offense. The Bulldogs trailed UAB 10-7 at halftime in their season opener last week, before allowing 28 unanswered points in the second half of a 38-7 defeat.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, SEC Network (alternative). LINE: None

ABOUT ALABAMA A&M (0-1): The Bulldogs’ defense struggled against the run, allowing 259 yards on the ground in last week’s loss. Two quarterbacks saw action – freshman Aqeel Glass threw a touchdown pass in completing 7-of-17 passes for 101 yards, and Damion May finished 6-for-12 for 37 yards. Senior linebacker Kenneth Davis earned Southwest Athletic Conference defensive player of the week honors after recording 10 tackles and two sacks last week.

ABOUT VANDERBILT (1-0): Webb, who rushed for 1,283 yards and 13 touchdowns a season ago, was held to 49 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries, but caught a touchdown pass and finished with 104 receiving yards. Shurmur completed 20-of-28 passes in the victory as receiver Kalija Lipscomb hauled in two touchdown passes. The Commodores did not give up a first down on 12 third-down attempts, holding Middle Tennessee State to 0-for-14 total on third- and fourth-down attempts.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Vanderbilt, which recorded only 15 sacks last season, finished with five in the opener.

2. Webb, Vanderbilt’s all-time leading rusher, moved into 19th place on the SEC’s all-time rushing list (3,391).

3. The Commodores’ 7-minute, 43-second scoring drive in the second quarter Saturday surpassed their longest scoring drive from last season.

PREDICTION: Vanderbilt 49, Alabama A&M 13