Auburn 13 - 14 Vanderbilt
Final
  for this game

Improved Vanderbilt faces stiff test against Auburn

Oct 4, 2008 - 10:07 AM (14) Auburn (4-1) at (19) Vanderbilt (4-0), 6:00 pm EDT

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- The process has been tedious, but Bobby Johnson is building a competitive program at Vanderbilt.

After winning just two games in each of his first three seasons at Vanderbilt, Johnson guided the Commodores to five wins in 2005 and 2007 and a 4-0 start this year.

Ranked for the first time since 1984, 19th-ranked Vanderbilt will find out how improved the program is this week when it hosts No. 14 Auburn in a Southeastern Conference contest.

The surprising Commodores (4-0, 2-0 SEC East), who also won their first four games in 2005, are 4-0 for only the second time since 1985 and just the fourth time since the end of World War II. They are seeking their first 5-0 start since 1943.

"We're proud of the ranking," Johnson said. "It is a reflection of us being 4-0, but I also think voters in both polls are seeing a team that plays hard and does everything it can to win games."

Vanderbilt is third in the SEC in rushing, averaging 202 yards per game. Individually, Jared Hawkins is sixth in the conference, having gained 314 yards.

Safety Ryan Hamilton tied a school record with three interceptions in a 23-17 win over Mississippi on September 20, returning one for a touchdown. It was the program's 600th victory.

Auburn (4-1, 2-1 West) has won 13 games against Vanderbilt, having not lost in the series since the 1955 Gator Bowl. However, Saturday marks the first time Auburn will face Vanderbilt when the Commodores are ranked.

The Commodores' success has been predicated on forcing turnovers and limiting mistakes. They have intercepted 10 passes and have not thrown one, which explains why Vanderbilt leads the nation in turnover margin.

In addition, the Commodores are tied for the national lead in fewest penalties with 11. However, Vanderbilt is 116th in the Football Bowl Subdivision in passing offense (80.8 yards per game).

This week, the Commodores will be facing an Auburn team that also is still searching for consistency on offense. The Tigers are coming off a 14-12 victory over Tennessee in which it scored only one offensive touchdown.

Auburn rebounded from a 26-21 loss to defending national champion Louisiana State the week before, but its offense was unimpressive against the Volunteers. Chris Todd completed 14-of-23 passes for only 93 yards and Ben Tate struggled to rush for 70 yards on 19 carries.

"We were inconsistent in a lot of ways, but we found a way to win," Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said.

The stingy Tigers are allowing just 10.6 points per game, the fifth-best mark in the Football Bowl Subdivision.






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