How Vanderbilt’s game plan changed when QB Luke Doty took over for USC
The Vanderbilt Commodores football team stuck to its game plan Saturday night — no matter who was playing quarterback for South Carolina.
After giving up an opening-drive touchdown to the Gamecocks, the Commodores didn’t allow a point the rest of the way in defeating South Carolina, 31-7, at Williams-Brice Stadium.
The win snapped a 16-game losing streak to the Gamecocks. Vanderbilt players and coaches soaked up the win, returning to the field after going into the locker room to take pictures and videos commemorating the victory.
South Carolina played the second half without starting quarterback and preseason Heisman hopeful LaNorris Sellers, who left the game with an injury late in the second quarter.
Even with Sellers in there, Vanderbilt was able to limit the Gamecocks on offense after that opening drive. The Commodores defense delivered a momentum-turning play on USC’s second possession as defensive lineman Zaylin Wood came up with a leaping interception at the 12-yard line.
“That was a huge play. I think we were on our heels,” Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea said. “They had a good plan to start the game and their quarterback was finding guys and making plays. But Zaylin was able to step up and make a play and shift momentum.”
After Sellers left, sixth-year senior Luke Doty came in and was able to move the offense some early on. But Vanderbilt’s defense got more confident, especially as they added to their lead. The Commodores came up with a pair of fourth-down stops in the second half.
“They are still trying to find their identity, but I thought they had a nice plan tonight. When they brought their second quarterback in, he is a good athlete and he is able to extend things with his legs,” Lea said. “We stuck to the bones of the plan, but we made some subtle adjustments. When it became a three-possession game, it became a passing game and we were able to cause some disruption.”
Vanderbilt’s defense came up with four turnovers and allowed just one touchdown in USC’s three trips into the red zone.
“We had to generate stops to get the ball back to the offense,” Sumter product and Vanderbilt defensive end Miles Capers said. “We’ve got a great quarterback on the other side. And every time we get the ball, he is going to do something with it.”
Capers called the win one of the best in his career because of the losing streak and because he was back in his home state. He said quarterback Diego Pavia promised him this week he was going to help get that win over his home-state team.
Pavia said during a June interview on “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast that he circled the game with the Gamecocks as the most important on Vanderbilt’s schedule.
“Shout out to Diego. He told me all this win he was going to get me this win,” Capers said. “... It was a great team effort to beat this team.”
