Vandy: By the numbers

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2 - Appearances by Vanderbilt in bowl games over the past two years, a school record. Never before had the Commodores gone to back-to-back bowl games. In 2011, Vandy lost 34-21 to Cincinnati in the Liberty Bowl, while in 2012 the Commodores beat N.C. State 38-24 in the Music City Bowl.

3 - wins in a row on the road in the SEC by Vanderbilt. Dating back to last year, the Commodores (2-0) have defeated Missouri (19-15), Kentucky (40-0) and Ole Miss (27-26).

4 - wins by Vanderbilt over South Carolina in the series dating back to 1961. South Carolina leads the series 18-4.

5 - years since Vanderbilt last beat a ranked team. On Dec. 31, 2008, the Commodores defeated No. 24 Boston College 16-14 in the Music City Bowl. The last time South Carolina lost to Vanderbilt? Also 2008, a 24-17 setback in Nashville.

8 - receptions per game by Vanderbilt receiver Jordan Matthews, which leads the SEC. He's averaging 18.1 yards per catch.

8 - sacks by Vanderbilt's defense this year, tops in the SEC. The Gamecocks are fourth in the league with five. The Commodores have only allowed two sacks, which is second-best in the SEC. South Carolina has allowed three, which ties them for No. 6 in the league.

9 - Vanderbilt victories in 2012, tying for the most in school history with the 1915 and 1904 teams.

19 - ranking of Vanderbilt's 2013 recruiting class, the highest in school history. Half of the 24 signees sport four-star rankings from the various recruiting services. Three of those recruits - wide receivers Jordan Cunningham and Latevius Rayford and cornerback Darrius Sims - have played in Vanderbilt's first two games.

20 - field goals made last year by the Commodores' Carey Spear, a school record. He also set a school record in 2012 for most points scored in a season (87) by a kicker.

21 - the most points USC has scored on Vanderbilt since 2006. USC won 21-7 in 2010 on the road and 21-3 in Columbia in 2011. The Gamecocks scored 17 last season in Nashville and 14 in Columbia in 2009, all wins. Since 2007, the average margin of victory has been less than a touchdown.

40 - consecutive starts by Vanderbilt senior left tackle Wesley Johnson (6-foot-5, 295). If Johnson starts every game this season, he will become the school's all-time leader career starts. What's even more amazing? Johnson has never been called for a holding penalty and didn't allow a single sack in 2012.

73 - points scored by Vanderbilt this season for a 36.5 average. South Carolina is averaging 28.5 points per game on offense.

178 - receiving yards by the Commodores' Jordan Matthews against Ole Miss in the season opener. Matthews' 144.5 yards receiving per game leads the SEC. The 178-yard total was the most by a Commodore receiver since Earl Bennett had 223 receiving yards against Richmond in 2007.

261.5 - average yards passing per game from Vanderbilt quarterback Austyn Carter-Samuels, placing him fourth in the SEC in that category. He has thrown for 523 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

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