Jared Curtis walked off the field Saturday night with a grin that was impossible to miss, even with his helmet still on. After Vanderbilt’s 25-23 win over Mississippi State, the five-star freshman quarterback had just picked up the first conference victory of his college career, and the relief and joy showed immediately as he went out to shake hands with the Bulldogs.
The win gave Vanderbilt more than a result in the standings. It also offered a clearer picture of what the Commodores want to be on offense. They ran for 160 yards, found better balance, and leaned on a ground game that has been a priority for Clark Lea and his staff for a long time.
Curtis said the plan is simple when the run game is working.
“I think we established the run game pretty well last game. Obviously, that’s our mission is to run to win. We just got to keep establishing that run game and then be able to move the ball in all aspects,” Curtis said.
That approach has been important for Vanderbilt not only because it makes the offense harder to defend, but because it can ease the burden on Curtis and the rest of the unit. Curtis, though, does not frame it that way. He sounds more like a quarterback who trusts the pieces around him and wants to keep feeding the hot hand.
“I think if we get going, then why not keep using it [run game]. We got good backs and we got a good offensive line that can make them get the movement. And they showed it all night, so just keep feeding them,” Curtis said.
The biggest takeaway from Curtis’ night may have come in the closing minutes. Late-game execution has not always been clean for him, including the late interception against NC State, but against Mississippi State he stayed composed when the game tightened up.
His numbers were not eye-popping, but he avoided the costly mistake at the end, and that mattered most. Curtis said the difference came down to being careful with the football and making the right choice in the moment.
“Just being smart with the football. Just knowing if it’s RPO then we don’t need to throw the ball. Just take care of the ball and drain the clock out and make smart plays with the ball,” Curtis said on what made the execution late in the game better.
Lea has also pointed to Curtis’ growth as a leader, and that development has continued to show up behind the scenes. Curtis may be naturally quiet, but the veterans around him, including tight end Cole Spence and offensive lineman Cade McConnell, have made space for him to take command of the offense.
As Curtis gets more comfortable with his teammates, that voice seems to come easier. He said the change is most noticeable once the week turns into game day.
“I feel like it depends maybe in practice, but I feel like when game time rolls around I get more vocal and try to lead the guys,” Curtis said. “I think just being more comfortable with each guy on the team, building a relationship with each person gives you confidence to be able to lead the team for sure.”
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The matchup also comes with a roster wrinkle for Vanderbilt, as guard Gabe Nesmith remains sidelined by a leg injury. That leaves the Commodores to keep sorting out their rotation while trying to protect an unbeaten start, and it adds another layer of difficulty against a Memphis team that has looked sharp out of the gate. The game is set for 6:15 p.m. CT on SEC Network+. [Read more 🡒]
Vanderbilt Faces Early Rival Test With Unbeaten Start On The Line
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Memphis arrives unbeaten as well, setting up a matchup that carries a little more weight than a typical November nonconference game. For Vanderbilt, it is the first real chance to protect its start against a rival with its own momentum, with the game set for SEC Network+ and radio coverage on 94.9 The Fan and the Vanderbilt Athletics app. [Read more 🡒]