NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Old Dominion University football trailed 28-21 entering the fourth quarter to Vanderbilt but the Commodores pulled away in the final frame for a 42-28 win over the Monarchs Saturday night at Vanderbilt Stadium.
Trailing 28-14 at halftime, Poncho Barnwell fell on a fumble in the end zone to cut the Vanderbilt lead to 28-21 midway through the fourth quarter.
The Commodores responded with Johnny McCrary touchdown passes and C.J. Duncan in the fourth quarter for a 42-21 lead.
Taylor Heinicke led the Monarchs on one final touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter as Ray Lawry ran in for a two-yard touchdown, his 12th of the season.
Vanderbilt recovered the ensuing onsides kick and ran out the clock to end the game.
Vanderbilt took the first lead of the game with an 11 play, 75-yard drive as Johnny McCrary connected with Nathan Marcus for a seven-yard touchdown pass.
After the ODU defense forced a punt, the Monarchs drove 80-yards in just five plays capped by a 30-yard touchdown pass from Heinicke to Marques Little. The big play on the drive was a 42-yard catch from Antonio Vaughan on third and five.
The Commodores took a 14-7 lead on a seven-yard touchdown run by Ralph Webb, capping a 14 play, 86-yard drive. A pair of 15-yard penalties on the Monarchs kept the drive alive.
Vandy made the score 21-7 with two minutes left in the first half on a five-yard touchdown toss from McCrary to Steven Scheu.
ODU quickly countered with an four play, 70-yard drive as Heinicke hit Antonio Vaughan for an eight-yard touchdown. Heinicke hit David Washington three times on the drive for 72-yards.
Vanderbilt ended the half with a four play, 73-yard drive with a McCrary touchdown pass to Latavious Rayford with two seconds left on the clock for a Vandy 28-14 halftime lead.
Heinicke finished the day 21-of-36 for 291-yards with two touchdowns and an INT. Lawry rushed eight times for 12-yards and a touchdown while Heinicke added 25-yards on the ground.
Vaughan led ODU with five catches for 90-yards and his C-USA 10th receiving touchdown. Washington and Zach Pascal had five catches apiece.
Fellonte Misher led ODU with a career-best 12 tackles while D.J. Simon tied his career-high with 11.
Notes: Junior guard Tyler Burns started for the first time in his career at right guard … This was the first game against an SEC opponent in school history and the fourth against a school from the Power Five (Maryland, Pittsburgh, UNC) … True freshman Isaiah Worthy started for the first time in his career at linebacker … True freshman Jonathan Duhart started for the first time in his career at wide receiver … True freshman Marques Little caught his seventh pass of the season and third TD with his first quarter touchdown … Poncho Barnwell’s defensive touchdown was ODU’s first since Craig Wilkins INT touchdown in 2010 … Antonio Vaughan caught his 10th touchdown pass of the season to give him 31 for his career to break Nick Mayers’ record for career TD grabs … Reggie Owens had his first sack of the season and forced a fumble to give ODU the ball in the third quarter … Fellonte Misher had a career-best 12 tackles while D.J. Simon tied his career-best with 11.