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Austyn Carta-Samuels threw for two touchdowns and Vanderbilt used a pair of TDs in the fourth quarter to pull away in a 24-7 victory over Massachusetts on Saturday.
Carta-Samuels completed 18 of 27 passes for 219 yards and rushed for 38 more. He also caught a pass for a 21-yard gain that set up his 11-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Matthews to put the Commodores (2-2) up 17-7 with 13:44 left to play.
Vanderbilt gained 167 of its 406 total yards in the fourth quarter, wearing down the Minutemen (0-4) after a tight first half and scoring twice in the final period.
Jonathan Krause had 105 receiving yards on six catches, including a touchdown late in the first quarter.
A.J. Doyle finished 20 of 28 for 133 passing yards and a touchdown for the Minutemen, who trailed 10-7 at halftime.
UMass entered the game allowing an average of nearly 523 yards against its first three opponents. The Minutemen held Vanderbilt to 181 yards in the first half and just 58 in the third quarter while keeping the Commodores close.
Vanderbilt's defense also played well, holding UMass to 248 yards, which helped set up the long drives that secured the win.
UMass drove as far as the Commodores' 32-yard line in the third quarter, but lost seven yards on a pair of rushes, then allowed a sack.
The ensuing punt went into the end zone and Carta-Samuels led the Commodores on an 11-play touchdown drive over the next 5:24 that put Vanderbilt in control. Carta-Samuels avoided a sack and found Jordan Matthews for an 11-yard touchdown with 13:44 left in the game. It was Mathews' 20th career touchdown.
Carey Spear's 32-yard field goal with 1:55 left in the second quarter gave Vanderbilt a 10-7 lead at halftime.
The Minutemen had a chance to tie it after Vanderbilt was called for a personal foul on what would have been the final play of the first half. Stephen Weatherly's horse-collar tackle attempt set up the Minutemen at the 28-yard line with no time remaining. The 45-yard field goal attempt by Blake Lucas was wide right.
