Bowl notes: VU quarterback combo works ... sort of

Officially, redshirt-freshman Larry Smith made the first start of his college career Wednesday in Vanderbilt’s 16-14 victory over Boston College in the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl. By the time it was finished, though, Vanderbilt used three different quarterbacks.

Smith and fifth-year senior Chris Nickson rotated in and out regularly based on situations and play calls.

“We felt like (Smith) would be very good at throwing some of the routes on the perimeter, and we had (Nickson) available for quarterback run plays,” coach Bobby Johnson said. “We just felt like we were taking advantage of everybody’s talents.”

Smith completed 10 of 17 passes for 121 yards and was sacked once. Nickson rushed for a team-high 57 yards on eight attempts, and his 30-yard run off left tackle in the third quarter was more than twice as long as any other running play by either team.

“I think they knew that Chris was more of a runner than he is a passer,” VU offensive lineman Bradley Vierling said. “So I think they were keying on that a little bit. But they didn’t stop him.”

Mackenzi Adams got on the field for one snap, which turned out to be one of the game’s most important. He threw incomplete to Justin Wheeler on third-and-2 from the BC 48 but drew a roughing-the-passer penalty, which gave the Commodores a first down at the 34. Four plays later VU got the game-winning field goal.

Despite all of that , VU managed just 200 yards of total offense, it’s second-lowest total of the season.

WELL-BEHAVED: A total of three penalties were called in the contest – all against Boston College.

Two were on the game-winning drive. A facemask violation added 15 yards to a five-yard gain by Smith on the first play of the series, and then the roughing-the-passer call against linebacker Mark Herzlich added another 14.

“I feel like I was right there (on time),” Herzlich said. “Either way, it wasn’t deliberately late.”

The only other penalty was a false start by the Eagles early in the third quarter.

BACKUP STEPS UP: VU’s All-American cornerback D.J. Moore sustained a sprained left ankle five minutes into the second quarter. He returned a couple times but watched most of the second half from the sideline.

His replacement, freshman Casey Hayward, made three tackles and led Vanderbilt with two passes defensed.

“Hayward missed about four interceptions,” Moore joked. “He was good. He made some real good plays.”

FRESH FACES: Sophomore Teriall Brannon started at defensive end in place of Broderick Stewart and Theron Kadri, both of whom were injured. Brannon made one tackle and was credited with a quarterback pressure.

Redshirt-freshman receiver Udom Umoh made the first reception of his career for a 16-yard gain on VU’s third offensive snap. Umoh finished with a team-high three receptions (for 29 yards).

“We had a bunch of guys hurt, and a bunch of guys stepped up,” Johnson said. “I thought that was huge. … Hopefully that is going to be a good indication that we’ve got more players available now to make those kinds of plays in big games.”

CROWD SUPPORT: The announced attendance was 54,250, well short of a sellout.

The vast majority of those in attendance supported Vanderbilt, though, a fact that was not lost on the winning team.

“We've never had an atmosphere like that,” Vierling said. “Auburn was the only one I can think of, and this was better than Auburn. It was unbelievable. Much gratitude and greatness and love to the fans.”

BRIEFLY: Vanderbilt’s all-time bowl record is now 2-1-1. … Boston College failed to intercept a pass for the first time in seven games and failed to force a turnover for the first time all season. … Vanderbilt went 5-2 in games on ESPN networks this season (3-0 on ESN, 1-1 on ESPN2 and 1-1 on ESPNU). … BC’s 55-yard touchdown pass from Dominique Davis to Colin Larmond was one yard shy of the longest play allowed by VU this season.