In Vanderbilt's season-opening football game against Hawaii at FirstBank Stadium, the Commodores managed to secure a 35-28 victory under the leadership of third-year coach Clark Lea. Despite facing challenges such as a delayed kickoff due to inclement weather and a struggling defense against chunk plays, Vanderbilt emerged victorious and won its season opener for the second consecutive year.
The game saw both teams' passing offenses being productive, with Vanderbilt's quarterback AJ Swann and Hawaii's Brayden Schager combining for only four incompletions out of 29 attempts in the first half. However, the run games for both teams struggled to gain momentum.
Vanderbilt's offensive line faced difficulties in creating space for their running backs, while Hawaii also struggled in its run game. Although Swann demonstrated success in passing, throwing for 238 yards and three touchdowns on 19-for-30 attempts, he did experience some sacks during the game.
Vanderbilt's pass defense remained a work in progress, as they faced challenges in generating a pass rush and effectively defending downfield passes. Despite these challenges, the Commodores managed to make a few significant defensive plays, including two interceptions by De'Rickey Wright and a crucial red-zone stop on fourth down.
The game ultimately came down to the wire, with Wright's second interception securing the victory for Vanderbilt with only 1:43 left on the clock. The Commodores showcased their ability to make critical plays on both offense and defense to secure the win.