Vanderbilt football got off to a slow start Saturday against Ball State.
Despite giving up a touchdown on the opening drive at FirstBank Stadium, Vanderbilt’s defense clamped down after that to take a 14-7 lead into halftime.
The Commodores eventually won, 24-14, to get one game away from bowl eligibility.
The Commodores (5-2) are fresh off back-to-back wins over Alabama and Kentucky, led by quarterback Diego Pavia.
The Cardinals (2-5) beat Kent State last weekend, its first win over an FBS opponent this season. Ball State also has a win over Missouri State.
A victory Saturday could get Vanderbilt just one win away from bowl eligibility, something the Commodores have not achieved under Clark Lea or at all since 2018.
Though Pavia suffered a knee injury against Kentucky, he practiced all week and played in the game without restrictions.
Vanderbilt got the ball with good field position after a Ball State punt and the drive culminated in a Pavia rushing touchdown.
Vanderbilt had a drive stall again, but Taylor kicked his third field goal of the day.
After a fourth-down conversion on a pitch play and a flea flicker, Ball State scored a touchdown to tie the game in the third quarter with a drive that took over six minutes off the clock.
Vanderbilt found a big play with Eli Stowers, who turned on the jets for the 41-yard score. A two-point conversion pass from Pavia to Cole Spence was successful.
Vanderbilt’s drive stalled and Taylor kicked the chip shot to start the second quarter.
After Vanderbilt’s drive stalled in the red zone, Taylor made the field goal to put the Commodores on the board.
Ball State took a direct snap and rushed for the touchdown on their opening drive.
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Vanderbilt vs. Ball State will be broadcast on SEC Network+ and ESPN+. The announcers will be Richard Cross, Charles Arbuckle and Erin Summers.
Vanderbilt has never previously faced Ball State.
Vanderbilt 24, Ball State 3: Vanderbilt may well keep this one low-scoring due to its slow pace of play. Even if the score is unassuming, this has the feel of a game the Commodores will quietly dominate.
Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Saturday:
Vanderbilt will be without CB Mark Davis (Achilles) and OT CJ Williams (ankle fracture), who are both out for the season. Langston Patterson will miss his second straight game due to an undisclosed injury, while Miles Capers has not practiced this week after his neck injury suffered against Kentucky.
Forecast high in Nashville for Saturday is 72 degrees with a 0% chance of precipitation. Temperatures are forecast to drop to 63 by game time.
Aug. 31: Virginia Tech, 34-27 win (OT)
Sept. 7: Alcorn State, 55-0 win
Sept. 14: at Georgia State, 36-32 loss
Sept. 21: at Missouri, 30-27 loss (2OT)
Sept. 28: Open
Oct. 5: Alabama, 40-35 win
Oct. 12: at Kentucky, 20-13 win
Oct. 19: Ball State
Oct. 26: Texas
Nov. 2: at Auburn
Nov. 9: South Carolina
Nov. 16: Open
Nov. 23: at LSU
Nov. 30: Tennessee
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Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X, formerly Twitter, @aria_gerson.

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