Vanderbilt needed to find its missing running game and regain some lost confidence. The Commodores found both in one day with a 19-7 victory over Division I-AA Eastern Kentucky.

While the victory was hardly impressive or overwhelming, it was at least a victory for the Commodores (2-5).

"We were ripe for an upset," Vandy coach Bobby Johnson said. "We had struggled. We were pretty fragile at the start of this game."

The Commodores didn't help themselves by allowing 460 yards and letting Eastern Kentucky hang around for most of the game. However, Eastern Kentucky moved past the Vanderbilt 40 six times and scored only one touchdown because of two missed field goals and a fumble at the Vanderbilt 35.

"I was very pleased we survived that," Johnson said. "Our guys hung in there and played when they had to play."

Of course, that's a lot easier to do against Eastern Kentucky than it is against LSU, Florida and Tennessee, there of the teams left on Vandy's schedule.

"The win feels great," Johnson said, "but unfortunately we're 2-5. Winning games feels great but we have to get more."

Copyright (C) 2004 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.