Vanderbilt vs. Missouri: Game Grades, Analysis for Commodores and Tigers

The Missouri Tigers defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores 24-14 at Faurot Field Saturday evening. 

Both offenses played lethargic, and Missouri was called for an incredible 14 penalties for 100 yards, according to NCAA.com statistics. 

Despite the penalties and anemic offense, the Tigers did just enough to contain Vanderbilt's similarly ineffective offense, allowing only two sustained drives for the entire game. 

With the win, Missouri improves to 6-2 on the season, while the Commodores fall to 2-6. Nevertheless, Vanderbilt can take away some positives from the game—namely, that redshirt freshman quarterback Johnny McCrary looks like he may be the quarterback of the future in West End.

Here are the first-half and final game grades and analysis for both teams.

Vanderbilt Commodores Game Grades

Position Units	First-Half Grade	Final Grade
Passing Offense	C-	B-
Pass Defense	A	B+
Rushing Offense	D	D
Rush Defense	F	F
Special Teams	B	B
Coaching	C	D

Passing Offense

After a shaky start, redshirt freshman McCrary put together some solid drives for the Commodores and threw for 196 yards and two touchdowns on 17 of 31 attempts.

His first full game under center for the Commodores went well, and he may have locked up the starting position for the rest of the season based on his performance Saturday. 

Pass Defense

Maty Mauk was made almost completely ineffective in the first half by the Vanderbilt defense. He improved in the second half, but the Missouri passing threat never really took off despite Mauk throwing two touchdowns.

The Commodores started to allow more yards late in the game, but much of that was due to the defense simply tiring over the course of a long game where Missouri controlled the clock. 

Rushing Offense

It's hard to win football games in the SEC when teams rush for less than 50 positive yards, but that was the reality for the Commodores. In fact, Vanderbilt's ineffectiveness on the ground has been a prevailing theme for much of the season.

Rush Defense

Just as the Commodores couldn't get a rushing attack of their own going, the defense also couldn't stop Missouri's attack. The Tigers ran the ball at will all game, controlling the clock and piling up 244 total yards, including 58 from quarterback Mauk.

Special Teams

Vanderbilt never attempted a field goal, but the punting left a bit to be desired, with Colby Cooke averaging just 41.5 yards per punt. 

Coaching

Derek Mason and offensive coordinator Karl Dorrell had a good game plan to keep the Commodores within striking distance for much of the game, but Mason's decision to punt out of Vanderbilt's own end zone at the end of the game was questionable.

Yes, it was unlikely the Commodores would convert, but it showed a serious lack of confidence in McCrary and appeared to be a move designed to save face in terms of the final score. 

Missouri Tigers Game Grades

Position Units	First-Half Grade	Final Grade
Passing Offense	D	C+
Pass Defense	B	C+
Rushing Offense	B	A
Rush Defense	A	A
Special Teams	C	C
Coaching	D	D

Passing Offense

Mauk was held in check through the air for most of the first half before starting to connect with his receivers in the second half.

However, it wasn't all to blame on Mauk, as he hit several wide open receivers who dropped would-be completions.

Pass Defense

After holding McCrary to few yards in the first half, the Tigers defense let up a bit in the second half as he passed for nearly 200 yards on the day.

The Missouri defensive backs couldn't contain tight end Steven Scheu, who caught six passes for 81 yards. 

Rushing Offense

Totaling 244 yards on the ground, including 58 by the quarterback, is an impressive stat no matter which defense a team is facing.

Overall, the Tigers' dominant running game helped the team control the clock and limit Vandy's chances at putting points on the board. 

Rush Defense

Vanderbilt's offensive line has struggled this year, and Missouri took advantage of it by limiting big runs and stuffing most attempts at the line of scrimmage. 

With less than 50 yards total rushing, the Commodores were forced to rely on their inexperienced quarterback to gain yards through the air.

Special Teams

A missed field goal and low punt average (40.5 yards) hurt this score for the Tigers.

Although Missouri was never truly threatened, the missed field goal was a bad shank that can't happen against better teams.

Coaching

It's hard to give a bad grade for a win, but committing 14 penalties is at least partially on the coaches.

That's an exceptionally high number of mental mistakes, and Gary Pinkel will have to address that in practice this week before the Tigers start to close out the season with their eyes on the SEC East crown.