Vanderbilt’s offense looked as good as it had all season, but a rejuvenated Kyle Shurmur wasn’t enough to upset No. 9 Auburn on the road.
The Commodores led the Tigers 13-10 at halftime and gave their top 10 opponent a scare, but a tired offense and a controversial call allowed Auburn to escape with the win. Shurmur completed 24 of his 36 passes for 221 yards, a touchdown, and an interception to provide the Tigers’ stiffest test since September. Auburn escaped with a 23-16 victory.
These two teams came out swinging. Vanderbilt took the game’s opening possession 41 yards — it would have been more if not for some costly drops — before Tommy Openshaw drilled a career-long 52-yard field goal to stake an early 3-0 lead.