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Vanderbilt eyeing first 6-0 start since 1928

Oct 11, 2008 - 10:17 AM (14) Vanderbilt (5-0) at Mississippi State (1-4), 2:30 pm EDT

STARKVILLE, Mississippi (Ticker) -- Vanderbilt has not had six wins in a season since 1982. It has been much longer since the Commodores started a season 6-0.

The 14th-ranked Commodores can accomplish both feats Saturday when they visit Southeastern Conference rival Mississippi State.

A great performance from a backup quarterback helped Vanderbilt get off to a 5-0 start for the first time in 65 years. Mackenzi Adams tossed two touchdowns last Saturday night, rallying the Commodores to a 14-13 upset of Auburn.

"Obviously, it was a big win for us, and it was a tough battle," Vanderbilt head coach Bobby Johnson said. "But I'm proud of how are guys hung in there, because the first quarter was kind of a scare. But we came fighting back."

Playing as a ranked team for the fourth time since World War II, the Commodores (5-0, 3-0 SEC East) overcame an early 13-point deficit after starting quarterback Chris Nickson left the contest midway through the second quarter.

A junior, Adams completed 13-of-23 passes for 152 yards with no interceptions and rushed for 49 yards in relief. He found Justin Wheeler on a 15-yard TD pass in the second quarter and then connected with Brandon Barden on a 1-yard score in the third to give Vanderbilt the lead.

With a win this Saturday, Vanderbilt would be 6-0 for the first time since 1928.

The Bulldogs (1-4, 0-2 SEC West) are looking to avoid a fourth consecutive loss. Vanderbilt should not be fooled by the record, because Mississippi State has played both Auburn and Louisiana State tough.

Junior Tyson Lee has taken over at quarterback for the Bulldogs, the surprise SEC team last season when they finished 8-5.

Lee made the first start of his collegiate career two weeks ago, passing for 175 yards and one touchdown during a 34-24 loss to LSU.

Despite the inexperience, Lee has not been mistake-prone so far. He has completed 66 percent (47-of-71) of his passes for 466 yards with no interceptions this season.