Vanderbilt beats Delaware 35-26

Team pages: Delaware · Vanderbilt

Delaware1-126
Vanderbilt2-035Final
Sat, Sep 12 · FirstBank Stadium, Nashville, Tenn. · Crowd 35,000SEC Network

Vanderbilt beat Delaware 35-26.

We had Vanderbilt favored. It won.

Next: Delaware beat Coastal Carolina 22-14, Sat Sep 19

Next: Vanderbilt beat NC State 35-31, Sat Sep 19

How it swung

Before kickoff, our ratings gave Vanderbilt a 57% chance, and the closing betting line (Vanderbilt was a 20.5-point favorite) put it at 95%.

Favored the whole way: Vanderbilt never fell below 79%.

Delaware never had better than a 21% chance.

Blocked punt TDDelaware · Q2 0:17Blocked punt TDVanderbilt · Q3 9:30
FinalVanderbilt 35-26 DelawareVanderbilt wonMove across the chart, or tap a numbered swing, to see any play.
50%75%90%Q1Q2Q3Q481% at halfVanderbiltWon35-26ScoresBlocked punt TDBlocked punt TD
50%75%90%Q1Q2Q3Q481% at halfVanderbiltWon35-26ScoresBlocked punt TDBlocked punt TD
50%10%25%Q1Q2Q3Q419% at halfVanderbiltLost26-35ScoresBlocked punt TDBlocked punt TD
50%10%25%Q1Q2Q3Q419% at halfVanderbiltLost26-35ScoresBlocked punt TDBlocked punt TD

No single play moved the chance by 20 points.

No single play moved the chance by 20 points.

Vanderbilt’s chance to win after every play.
How to read this chartStarts from the pregame line (Vanderbilt -20.5), at 93% for Vanderbilt (the play-by-play feed's kickoff number, moved to match the line; our model's and the betting line's own numbers are in “The betting line, and the fans”). Dots are the biggest swings; ticks under the chart are scores. Outlined diamonds mark rare plays.

Watch the plays

The bar and the arrow show Vanderbilt’s chance to win after each play; the logo is the team the play helped.

  1. Q1, 1:19Curtis 1-yd TD runVanderbilt goes ahead 7-0Q1, 1:19 · Vanderbilt 7, Delaware 0▲3%Vanderbilt’s chance to win, 93% to 96%▲3%Vanderbilt’s chance to win, 93% to 96%Watch from this playESPN College Football
  2. Q1, 1:14Minicucci intercepted by Hight at the Delaware 28Q1, 1:14 · Vanderbilt 7, Delaware 07-0score after the play7-0score after the playWatch from this playESPN College Football
  3. Q1, 0:00Alexander 9-yd TD runVanderbilt leads 14-0Q1, 0:00 · Vanderbilt 14, Delaware 014-0score after the play14-0score after the playWatch from this playESPN College Football
  4. Q2, 0:17Graves 0-yd TD return of a blocked puntDelaware goes ahead 17-14Q2, 0:17 · Vanderbilt 14, Delaware 17▼9%Vanderbilt’s chance to win, 92% to 83%▼9%Vanderbilt’s chance to win, 92% to 83%Watch from this playESPN College Football
  5. Q3, 11:05Curtis 1-yd TD runVanderbilt goes ahead 21-17Q3, 11:05 · Vanderbilt 21, Delaware 17▲8%Vanderbilt’s chance to win, 83% to 91%▲8%Vanderbilt’s chance to win, 83% to 91%Watch from this playESPN College Football
  6. Q3, 10:03Minicucci sacked for a 1-yd lossQ3, 10:03 · Vanderbilt 21, Delaware 1721-17score after the play21-17score after the playWatch from this playESPN College Football
  7. Q3, 9:30Howard 0-yd TD return of a blocked puntVanderbilt leads 27-17Q3, 9:30 · Vanderbilt 27, Delaware 17▲5%Vanderbilt’s chance to win, 92% to 97%▲5%Vanderbilt’s chance to win, 92% to 97%Watch from this playESPN College Football
  8. Q3, 0:00Curtis 19-yd TD pass to TaylorVanderbilt leads 35-17Q3, 0:00 · Vanderbilt 35, Delaware 17▲2%Vanderbilt’s chance to win, 98% to 100%▲2%Vanderbilt’s chance to win, 98% to 100%Watch from this playESPN College Football
  9. Q4, 6:37Minicucci 43-yd TD pass to Loftoncuts it to 35-26Q4, 6:37 · Vanderbilt 35, Delaware 2635-26score after the play35-26score after the playWatch from this playESPN College Football
  10. Q4, 1:26Minicucci intercepted by Daniels at the Vandy36Q4, 1:26 · Vanderbilt 35, Delaware 26▲6%Vanderbilt’s chance to win, 94% to 100%▲6%Vanderbilt’s chance to win, 94% to 100%Watch from this playESPN College Football

Every drive

Vanderbilt scored on 4 of its 14 drives; Delaware on 4 of its 13.

Vanderbilt’s drives are teal, Delaware’s amber. A line runs from where a drive started to where it ended; a filled dot means it scored.

own goalgoal lineQ1Delaware: Punt, from 75 yards out to 63PuntVanderbilt: Punt, from 80 yards out to 73PuntDelaware: Punt, from 79 yards out to 76PuntVanderbilt: Punt, from 70 yards out to 59PuntDelaware: Punt, from 84 yards out to 77PuntVanderbilt: Touchdown, from 41 yards out to 0TouchdownDelaware: Interception, from 75 yards out to 75InterceptionVanderbilt: Touchdown, from 26 yards out to 0TouchdownQ2Delaware: Field goal, from 75 yards out to 20Field goalVanderbilt: Punt, from 75 yards out to 88PuntDelaware: Punt, from 64 yards out to 62PuntVanderbilt: Turned over on downs, from 67 yards out to 18DownsDelaware: Touchdown, from 82 yards out to 0TouchdownVanderbilt: Fumble, from 75 yards out to 41FumbleDelaware: Punt, from 59 yards out to 44PuntVanderbilt: Punt returned for a touchdown, from 84 yards out to 83Punt TDVanderbilt: End of half, from 75 yards out to 77End of halfQ3Vanderbilt: Touchdown, from 70 yards out to 0TouchdownDelaware: Punt returned for a touchdown, from 75 yards out to 75Punt TDDelaware: Punt, from 78 yards out to 65PuntVanderbilt: Touchdown, from 60 yards out to 0TouchdownQ4Delaware: Field goal, from 75 yards out to 23Field goalVanderbilt: Punt, from 75 yards out to 58PuntDelaware: Touchdown, from 80 yards out to 0TouchdownVanderbilt: Turned over on downs, from 57 yards out to 21DownsDelaware: Interception, from 79 yards out to 49InterceptionVanderbilt: End of game, from 56 yards out to 59End of game

Where fans got loudest

Fans peaked in the second quarter.

  1. first quarter
  2. second quarter
  3. third quarter
  4. fourth quarter
How we know

We look at when the most different fans were posting during the game thread, then name the part of the game it falls in. Only threads with a clear peak and enough fans get a word.

What it cost

Delaware’s chance to make the playoff fell from 1% to 0%.

Make the playoff

Delaware · lost1% → ▼0%
Vanderbilt · won8% → 8%8%

Before the game (September 11, 2026) → after this result, in our model.

Box score

Vanderbilt 35, Delaware 26

Delaware covered +20.5 by 11.5. The total, 61, went over 54.5.

DelawareVanderbiltTotal yardsDelaware 338Vanderbilt 339338339Passing yardsDelaware 240Vanderbilt 239240239Rushing yardsDelaware 98Vanderbilt 10098100First downsDelaware 18Vanderbilt 171817TurnoversDelaware 2Vanderbilt 121Time of possessionDelaware 31:20Vanderbilt 28:4031:2028:40
Team totalsDelawareVanderbilt
Total yards338339
Passing15 of 32, 240 yds17 of 31, 239 yds
Rushing36 for 98 yds38 for 100 yds
First downs1817
Third down3 of 155 of 15
Fourth down2 of 22 of 4
Turnovers21
Penalties3 for 18 yds6 for 36 yds
Time of possession31:2028:40

Delaware leaders

  • Passing Nick Minicucci 11 of 27, 182 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
  • Rushing Jo'Nathan Silver 16 for 109 yds; Kaderris Roberts 3 for 14 yds
  • Receiving Da'Wain Lofton 4 for 142 yds, 1 TD; Kaderris Roberts 2 for 42 yds

Vanderbilt leaders

  • Passing Jared Curtis 14 of 22, 210 yds, 1 TD
  • Rushing Sedrick Alexander 9 for 39 yds, 1 TD; Makhilyn Young 8 for 38 yds
  • Receiving Junior Sherrill 5 for 94 yds; Jayvontay Conner 6 for 87 yds

No rain through the game

88° at kickoff · no rain recorded

September game-day temperatures at FirstBank Stadium

Win chance with rain, wind and thunder from the nearest airport, by game timeQ1Q2Q3Q4Vanderbilt favoredDelaware favored100%Win chanceVanderbiltRaininches per 10 min0.1 inNo rain recordedWindmph, average and gusts20 mph40 mphHourly wind only at this airportTemperature and feels likedegrees F75°105°feels like 85°air 82°
Win chance with rain, wind and thunder from the nearest airport, by game timeQ1Q2Q3Q4Vanderbilt favoredDelaware favoredRain · inches per 10 min0.1 inNo rain recordedWind · miles per hour2040Hourly wind only at this airportTemperature and feels like · degrees F75°105°feels like 85°air 82°

Drag along the chart, or step through the game.

First quarter, 14:46 left3:21 p.m.
Delaware 0, Vanderbilt 0 · Vanderbilt 93% to win
no rain · 90°
Minicucci 10-yd run
Where this weather comes fromMeasured at John C Tune airport, 5.1 miles away, and Nashville Metro airport, 6.9 miles away. Rain is NOAA's radar-and-gauge estimate at the stadium and wind is an airport reading; neither is measured on the field. Game times come from the play-by-play, good to a minute or two. Source: National Weather Service, through the Iowa Environmental Mesonet; rain radar from NOAA MRMS, through Iowa State University. Field direction from OpenStreetMap contributors.

Before kickoff

Recent games, the series and the betting line below are as they stood going in; the season profile is the season so far.

Recent games

Last three games · 2025 season

Delaware · 7-6

Rated 41st in our preseason ratings, 43rd now.

2-1 in its last three, capped by a 7-point win over Louisiana as a 1.5-point underdog.

W 20-13 vs Louisiana #136 of 667

won by 7 as a 1.5-point underdog

Delaware won 20-13 vs Louisiana. Chance to win started at 53%, low 41%, high better than 99%.

W 61-31 vs UTEP #204 of 667

won by 30 as a 4.5-point favorite

Delaware won 61-31 vs UTEP. Chance to win started at 75%, low 63%, high better than 99%.

L 14-52 @ Wake Forest #39 of 667

lost by 38 as a 17.5-point underdog

Delaware lost 14-52 at Wake Forest. Chance to win started at 9%, low under 1%, high 10%.

L 23-26 @ Sam Houston #214 of 667

lost by 3 as a 13.5-point favorite

Delaware lost 23-26 vs Sam Houston. Chance to win started at 80%, low under 1%, high 93%.

W 25-24 vs Louisiana Tech #93 of 667

won by 1 as a 5.5-point underdog

Delaware won 25-24 vs Louisiana Tech. Chance to win started at 43%, low 7%, high better than 99%.

L 30-59 @ Liberty #104 of 667

lost by 29 as a 3.5-point underdog

Delaware lost 30-59 at Liberty. Chance to win started at 34%, low under 1%, high 45%.

W 31-28 vs Middle Tennessee #179 of 667

won by 3 as a 9.5-point favorite

Delaware won 31-28 vs Middle Tennessee. Chance to win started at 78%, low 49%, high better than 99%.

L 25-38 @ Jacksonville State #104 of 667

lost by 13 as a 2.5-point favorite

Delaware lost 25-38 at Jacksonville State. Chance to win started at 43%, low under 1%, high 54%.

L 24-27 vs Western Kentucky #83 of 667

lost by 3 as a 2.5-point favorite

Delaware lost 24-27 vs Western Kentucky. Chance to win started at 63%, low under 1%, high 84%.

W 38-16 @ Florida International #127 of 667

won by 22 as a 5.5-point underdog

Delaware won 38-16 at Florida International. Chance to win started at 28%, low 18%, high better than 99%.

W 44-41 vs UConn #70 of 667

won by 3 as a 9.5-point underdog

Delaware won 44-41 vs UConn. Chance to win started at 32%, low 12%, high better than 99%.

L 7-31 @ Colorado #41 of 667

lost by 24 as a 23.5-point underdog

Delaware lost 7-31 at Colorado. Chance to win started at 4%, low under 1%, high 7%.

W 35-17 vs Delaware State #243 of 667

won by 18 as a 30.5-point favorite

Delaware won 35-17 vs Delaware State. Chance to win started at 98%, low 92%, high better than 99%.

Last three games · 2025 season

Vanderbilt · 10-3

Rated 45th in our preseason ratings, 44th now.

2-1 in its last three, including a 21-point win over Tennessee as a 2.5-point underdog.

L 27-34 vs IowaTop 25 #22 of 667

lost by 7 as a 3-point favorite

Vanderbilt lost 27-34 vs Iowa. Chance to win started at 67%, low 2%, high 67%.

W 45-24 @ TennesseeTop 25 #17 of 667

won by 21 as a 2.5-point underdog

Vanderbilt won 45-24 at Tennessee. Chance to win started at 39%, low 15%, high better than 99%.

W 45-17 vs Kentucky #37 of 667

won by 28 as a 6.5-point favorite

Vanderbilt won 45-17 vs Kentucky. Chance to win started at 76%, low 70%, high better than 99%.

W 45-38 vs AuburnTop 25 #20 of 667

won by 7 as a 5.5-point favorite

Vanderbilt won 45-38 vs Auburn. Chance to win started at 73%, low 17%, high better than 99%.

L 31-34 @ TexasTop 25 #13 of 667

lost by 3 as a 3.5-point underdog

Vanderbilt lost 31-34 at Texas. Chance to win started at 17%, low under 1%, high 21%.

W 17-10 vs MissouriTop 25 #14 of 667

won by 7 as a 3.5-point favorite

Vanderbilt won 17-10 vs Missouri. Chance to win started at 69%, low 43%, high better than 99%.

W 31-24 vs LSUTop 25 #17 of 667

won by 7 as a 1.5-point favorite

Vanderbilt won 31-24 vs LSU. Chance to win started at 64%, low 50%, high better than 99%.

L 14-30 @ AlabamaTop 25 #5 of 667

lost by 16 as a 13.5-point underdog

Vanderbilt lost 14-30 at Alabama. Chance to win started at 13%, low under 1%, high 48%.

W 55-35 vs Utah State #99 of 667

won by 20 as a 24.5-point favorite

Vanderbilt won 55-35 vs Utah State. Chance to win started at 96%, low 82%, high better than 99%.

W 70-21 vs Georgia State #123 of 667

won by 49 as a 26.5-point favorite

Vanderbilt won 70-21 vs Georgia State. Chance to win started at 96%, low 95%, high better than 99%.

W 31-7 @ South CarolinaTop 25 #21 of 667

won by 24 as a 2.5-point underdog

Vanderbilt won 31-7 at South Carolina. Chance to win started at 32%, low 31%, high better than 99%.

W 44-20 @ Virginia Tech #60 of 667

won by 24 as a 2.5-point underdog

Vanderbilt won 44-20 at Virginia Tech. Chance to win started at 35%, low 14%, high better than 99%.

W 45-3 vs Charleston Southern #236 of 667

won by 42 as a 38.5-point favorite

Vanderbilt won 45-3 vs Charleston Southern. Chance to win started at 99%, low 99%, high better than 99%.

Week by week

Vanderbilt

  • Wk 1Wvs Austin Peay28-9

Delaware

  • Wk 1Wvs Merrimack42-7

Matchups

Biggest mismatch: Vanderbilt’s explosive plays against Delaware, 43 points

Each row ranks the two sides among all teams. The longer the line, the bigger the mismatch.

  1. Vanderbilt’s explosive plays against Delaware’s defense

    43 pointsweakerstronger50th

    Vanderbilt offense, 67th percentile · Delaware defense, 24th

  2. Vanderbilt’s passing EPA against Delaware’s defense

    17 pointsweakerstronger50th

    Vanderbilt offense, 45th percentile · Delaware defense, 28th

Season profile, all the rows

Season profile

DelawareVanderbilt
EPA/play, offense
Delaware · 38Vanderbilt · 30
EPA/play, defense
Delaware · 25Vanderbilt · 26
Success rate, offense
Delaware · 30Vanderbilt · 33
Success rate, defense
Delaware · 31Vanderbilt · 24
Explosive-play rate, offense
Delaware · 65Vanderbilt · 67
Explosive-play rate, defense
Delaware · 24Vanderbilt · 50
Rush EPA, offense
Delaware · 44Vanderbilt · 58
Rush EPA, defense
Delaware · 55Vanderbilt · 28
Pass EPA, offense
Delaware · 38Vanderbilt · 45
Pass EPA, defense
Delaware · 28Vanderbilt · 31

Line, fans and home field

The betting line, and the fans

Delaware fans are in a better mood than Vanderbilt fans (78th vs 40th among FBS fanbases), even with Vanderbilt favored.

  • Model · 57%
  • Line · 95%
  • Vanderbilt fans · 40th
  • Delaware fans · 78th

Vanderbilt favored by 20.5 · Total 54.5

How games like this usually go

Vanderbilt by 20.5, and it went to form

50%90%Q1Q2Q3Q450%90%Q1Q2Q3Q4

Half of games8 in 10 gamesThis game

The band is where a favorite’s chance ran in the 251 games since 2025 with a favorite of 14.5 to 21.5 points.

The market

The spread moved 1 point toward Delaware.

opened −21.5now −20.5

The total fell 1 point.

opened 55.5now 54.5

Spread: −21.5 → −20.5 · Total: 55.5 → 54.5

The books’ cut: 4.2%, the margin built into the odds

Weather at kickoff

Hot and dry. Feels like 91° at kickoff.

Delaware at Vanderbilt · Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 · FirstBank Stadium, Nashville

  • 91°feels like at kickoff
  • Dryno rain at kickoff
  • 59weather score, Rough
  • 2ndroughest of the day's 5 kickoff times

At kickoff, Sept. 12, 2026.

Weather score: 0 to 100, higher is better, for the first 3 hours and 20 minutes of the game. Ideal is 100, Comfortable 90 to 99, Mixed 75 to 89, Rough 50 to 74, Harsh under 50.

Later kickoff times scored higher that Saturday

Games in this time zone used 5 kickoff times that day, local time (kickoffs within 30 minutes of each other count as one). This game, ringed, was the second roughest of the day's five kickoff times. At FirstBank Stadium that day, a 6:45 pm kickoff would have scored 97, against 59 at 3:15 pm.

The roughest kickoff time is the lowest of the day's times. It can still be Mixed or Comfortable.

  • 11 am: 64, Rough
  • 2:30 pm: 56, Rough
  • 3:15 pm: 59, Rough (this game)
  • 6 pm: 91, Comfortable
  • 6:45 pm: 97, Comfortable

Weather score at each kickoff time.

Tap a dot to read that kickoff time.

At kickoff, Sept. 12, 2026. Wind is not drawn here; gusts are in each score.

Home field

Vanderbilt is worth +1.1 points (±4.5) more at home than on the road since 2018 — bottom tenth of FBS, 7th percentile.

41% at home, 23% on the road against FBS opponents (20-29 home, 10-33 away).

Our model gives every stadium the same flat 2.3-point home edge (why); the books use about 3. Against the closing line this stadium reads -7.0 at home vs. away over 100 games — outside the ±6.4 noise, one of the few buildings where results say more.

The visitors travel about 650 miles to get here.

Where next