**Vanderbilt Makes It Close: Texas 24, Vandy 17**

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Post on Oct 27, 2024

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Vanderbilt Makes It Close: Texas 24, Vandy 17

Austin, Texas - The Vanderbilt Commodores gave the No. 23 ranked Texas Longhorns a scare Saturday afternoon at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, but ultimately fell 24-17. Despite the loss, the Commodores showed resilience and heart, keeping the game close until the final whistle.

A Tight First Half

The first half was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to find offensive rhythm. Texas managed a field goal early in the first quarter, but Vanderbilt answered with a touchdown on a 12-yard pass from quarterback AJ Swann to wide receiver Will Sheppard. The Longhorns responded with a touchdown of their own before the end of the half, taking a 10-7 lead into the break.

Vanderbilt's Fight Back

Vanderbilt came out strong in the third quarter, taking the lead on a 28-yard field goal by Joseph Bulovas. The Commodores' defense continued to play tough, forcing Texas into several punts. The Longhorns extended their lead to 17-10 with a touchdown late in the third quarter, but Vanderbilt answered right back with a touchdown pass from Swann to tight end Ben Bresnahan, tying the game at 17-17.

Texas Pulls Away in the Final Minutes

The game remained close until the final minutes, when Texas scored a touchdown with just over 4 minutes left. Vanderbilt had a chance to tie the game late, but their final drive stalled out near midfield. The Commodores' defense held strong, but the Longhorns were able to run out the clock and secure the victory.

Key Takeaways

Despite the loss, the Commodores displayed a level of toughness and resilience that wasn't always seen in their previous games. AJ Swann had a solid performance, throwing for 199 yards and two touchdowns. The defense, led by linebacker Anfernee Orji, showed its ability to hold a high-powered offense in check for much of the game. The game also highlighted the team's ability to stay competitive against a higher-ranked opponent. While they ultimately fell short, this close fight against a strong Texas team shows promise for Vanderbilt's future.

Looking Ahead

The Commodores will look to build on this performance as they head into SEC play. Their next opponent will be the Missouri Tigers on September 9th at home. This will be a chance for Vanderbilt to prove that their close fight against Texas wasn't just a fluke, and that they are ready to take on the challenges of conference play.