Vanderbilt went into Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday with a 2-0 record and still questions about whether the team could stand up to a top-tier opponent. Even after a 22-17 loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, though, Vanderbilt could feel like it had proven itself capable going into next week’s SEC opener.
Saturday began inauspiciously for the Vanderbilt Commodores. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish took the opening kickoff and promptly marched 80 yards in seven plays, setting up a first-and-goal at the Vanderbilt 2; it felt like a massive win to hold the Irish to a field goal.