New Vanderbilt Coach Has No Solutions For Alabama

A new coach for Vanderbilt, same old result for Alabama.

The 15th-ranked Crimson Tide beat Vanderbilt 20-0 Thursday night, extending their winning streak to 13 straight at the expense of Woody Widenhofer, the Commodores’ third coach this decade. Alabama is 36-2 against Vandy since 1960.

Alabama (2-0 overall, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) ruined Widenhofer’s chance of becoming just the second Vandy coach since World War II to win his first two games despite an offense that gained only 120 yards through three quarters.

Warren Foust blocked Joe Webb’s punt in the first quarter and Steve Harris recovered at the 22. That set up Freddie Kitchens’ 17-yard touchdown pass to Ed Scissum with 53.6 seconds left in the first quarter, all the points the Crimson Tide would need.

Vanderbilt (1-1, 0-1) stayed close with a defense that allowed Alabama 94 yards through the first two quarters and only 26 in the third quarter, intercepting two passes off Kitchens.

The Commodores were hurt repeatedly by penalties and dropped passes as Alabama got its first shutout in the series since a 41-0 victory at Tuscaloosa in 1980. Vandy got across midfield four times but wound up going backward and settling for punts.

The Crimson Tide had its longest drive of the night in the fourth quarter when Kitchens hit Quincy Jackson with a 45-yard pass to the Vandy 14, nearly doubling his passing yardage. Shaun Alexander capped the 97-yard drive with a 1-yard run with 8:30 left and Alabama led 17-0.

Kitchens was 10 of 18 for 124 yards. Brian Cunningham kicked field goals of 48 and 45 yards for Alabama.