Vanderbilt’s offense may still be sorting out its quarterback situation, but Sedrick Alexander already looks like the one piece the Commodores can count on.
From the opening snap, Vanderbilt made its intentions plain. Alexander touched the ball on the first play of the game, then got the next three carries after that. The runs were straightforward - inside work to the right - but the message was unmistakable: he’s going to be a major part of this season’s plan.
“It wasn’t scripted”, Alexander told reporters about the start of the game, “It’s very in the moment. My coaches believe in me, and believe in the other running backs, and we believe in the plays they call.”
Whether that opening sequence was drawn up that way or not, it helped settle Vanderbilt’s offense into a rhythm. Alexander finished with his first touchdown of the season on an 18-yard run that featured a broken tackle and a smooth finish.
He bounced the play left, spun away from the first defender, and then outran the defensive backs to the end zone. By the time the night was over, he had 10 carries for 60 yards and the score.
“Were trying to score each time we get the ball,” Alexander said, “My coaches believe in me, I believe in them, and I’m going to go out there and do what I got to do.”
That kind of confidence matters for a team with bigger questions elsewhere on offense. Blaze Berlowitz and Jared Curtis both saw action in the game and kept mistakes to a minimum, but Vanderbilt still has to name a long-term starter before the offense can really settle in.
Until that happens, leaning on Alexander makes sense. He gives the Commodores a way to establish control early and, just as important, a little stability while the quarterback battle continues.
“Both quarterbacks did a tremendous job when they got their opportunities,” Alexander commented, “I was very proud of Blaze, and I was very proud of Jared. I really appreciate them.”
That answer fit the moment. Alexander isn’t picking sides, and he doesn’t need to. Clark Lea hasn’t named his starter yet, and when that decision comes, he said the quarterback will be the one who puts the team in the best position to win.
For now, the running game belongs to Alexander. And in a season full of offensive uncertainty, Vanderbilt has at least one player who already looks ready to carry the load.
In Other News...
Marlen Sewells Vanderbilt Return Says Everything About This Program
Marlen Sewells return for Vanderbilts 2026 season opener was the kind of reminder that says as much about the program as it does about the player. A former Commodore and team captain now on the Chicago Bears practice squad, Sewell showed up around the team he once led, spending time with current players and staff and reinforcing just how tight those ties remain long after a college career ends.
For Vanderbilt, moments like that matter because they speak to the culture around the program, not just the scoreboard. Sewell was cut from the Bears active roster after a preseason game, but his connection to Nashville has clearly endured, and his presence on campus underscored the way he still values the relationships and legacy he built in black and gold. [Read more 🡒]
Vanderbilt Is Making An Early Recruiting Push Fans Should Notice
Vanderbilts early recruiting board is already taking shape, and the range of offers says plenty about how broad the staff wants to cast its net. The Commodores have extended scholarships to a mix of prospects from Tennessee and Kentucky, while also reaching overseas to the NFL Academy in England, a sign that the program is willing to look beyond the usual footprint as it builds out future classes.
The 2027 class already includes 17 commits, but the staff is not waiting around before moving on to the next wave of targets. Offers have already gone out to players such as Augustine Irek, Jayden Jamerson, Braylen Batts-Hobbs and Gregory Kirwan, with Vanderbilt also beginning to make inroads into the 2028 cycle. It is an early push, but one that gives a clearer picture of how aggressively the Commodores want to stay ahead in recruiting. [Read more 🡒]
Vanderbilt Already Has One Clear Strength And One Lingering Concern
Vanderbilt got exactly what it needed against Austin Peay, picking up its first win of the season with a 28-9 result that was powered more by control and consistency than explosive plays. The defense set the tone, with Issa Ouattara back in the starting lineup and once again making his presence felt up front, while linebacker Nick Rinaldi added to a unit that kept the pressure on and limited the Governors' chances.
On offense, Sedrick Alexander gave the Commodores a steady run game, finishing with 60 yards and a touchdown, and Blaze Berlowitz handled the quarterback duties efficiently by completing 11 of 16 passes for 149 yards. The encouraging part for Vanderbilt is that the offense looked functional enough to win while the defense carried so much of the load, but the next question is whether the passing game can start stressing defenses more vertically instead of leaning so heavily on short, safe throws. [Read more 🡒]