Tied 3-3 late in the third quarter of their top-15 showdown with the Missouri Tigers, the Vanderbilt Commodores struck first with a highlight-reel 80-yard touchdown run from Makhilyn Young. This electrifying play gave Vanderbilt the lead for the first time and set them on the path to a pivotal 17-10 victory.
The battle between 10th-ranked Vanderbilt and 15th-ranked Missouri featured two of the SEC’s most surprising programs this season. Both teams entered the game with 6-1 records and genuine aspirations of earning a spot in the College Football Playoff. Today’s win serves as a critical differentiator for the Commodores in the eyes of the selection committee.
Locked in a tight defensive battle, Missouri squandered several opportunities to take control. In the third quarter alone, Tigers quarterback Beau Pribula was stopped short on a 4th and Goal from the 1-yard line, and kicker Robert Meyer missed a crucial 29-yard field goal attempt. On the very next play after the missed field goal, Vanderbilt seized momentum with Young’s explosive touchdown run.
Senior running back Makhilyn Young entered the game with 296 rushing yards on the season, averaging an impressive 11.0 yards per carry along with four touchdowns. He is a key piece of a deep Vanderbilt running back rotation that also includes Sedrick Alexander and Jamezell Lassiter. Young’s relentless passion and improvisational skills have helped head coach Clark Lea’s team reach heights not seen in decades. Vanderbilt’s 7-1 start this season is their best since 1950.
Vanderbilt’s defense held strong to preserve the seven-point lead, denying Missouri a game-tying score in the closing seconds. The Commodores now look ahead to a crucial road trip next week against the struggling Texas Longhorns as they continue their pursuit of a historic College Football Playoff appearance.
https://clutchpoints.com/ncaa-football/vanderbilt-football-news-makhilyn-young-breaks-off-80-yard-touchdown-missouri
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