Gamecocks Football: Vanderbilt By the Numbers

The South Carolina Gamecocks will travel to Nashville to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN. 
Here are some numbers to give you an idea how these teams have matched up over the history of the series:

1961– First every meeting between the Gamecocks and Commodores.  USC won 23-7.
1-SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2005) QB Jay Cutler.
2– Number of bowl victories in Vandy History.
3– The number of times Vanderbilt has scored more than 20 points against the Gamecocks.

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4– is the number of interceptions thrown by Stephen Garcia last year against Vandy.  4 is also the number of times Vanderbilt has defeated the Gamecocks.  The last victory coming in 2008.
5– is the number of Bowl games Vanderbilt has played in.
6– is the number of Sacks the Gamecocks had against Vandy last year
7– is the number of penalties Vandy had last year against USC for 79 yards.  Which is 2 more yards than the Commodores offense gained last year.
8–  is the number of times the Gamecocks have scored 30 or more points against Vandy.
9– is the number of times Richard Kent punted for Vandy last year against the Gamecocks.  9 is also the number of starters Vandy returns from last season on the offensive side of the ball.
12– USC has won 12 consecutive season opening games, dating back to the 2000 season.
28– James Franklin is Vandy’s 28^th head coach.
36– is the number of Football All American’s Vandy has had.

This will be the 22^nd all time meeting between USC and Vandy, with the Gamecocks holding a 17-4 advantage, including a 9-2 record in Nashville.  This will also be the 7^th time the Gamecocks have opened the season in August, the Gamecocks are 5-1 in August.

The Gamecocks scored 56 points last year in the season opener against ECU, which tied a school record.  Let’s hope the Gamecocks can break that record this year. 

In closing, Beat Vandy! Go Cocks!