NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Vanderbilt ended a three-game losing streak with a 21-20 non-conference win over Charleston Southern Saturday night.
The Commodores (2-5) built a 21-10 halftime lead before holding off a second-half rally by the Buccaneers (5-1).
Johnny McCrary completed 10-of-16 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown for Vanderbilt.
Charleston Southern’s Mike Holloway rushed for 105 yards on 18 carries and caught three passes for 79 yards.
Charleston Southern narrowed the gap to 21-17 on Zachary Frazier’s 8-yard touchdown run with 5:56 left in the third quarter. David Kennedy’s 30-yard field goal narrowed the gap to 21-20 with 10:19 left.
Tommy Openshaw’s 39-yard field goal on the game’s first possession gave Vanderbilt a 3-0 lead with 10:57 left in the first quarter.
Vanderbilt’s 3-0 lead after a quarter marked just the second time the Commodores have led after 15 minutes. They’ve been outscored 59-17 in the first quarter this season.
Vanderbilt holds off Charleston Southern, 21-20
By Shah