Five reasons behind Vandy’s impressive start

Athens - Vanderbilt ranks last in the SEC in total offense and not much better - third from the bottom - in total defense.

Sounds like a stereotypical Vanderbilt team, huh?

Except, somehow, the Commodores come to Sanford Stadium on Saturday to play Georgia with a 5-1 record and a No. 22 national ranking. Oh, they are also tied with Florida for the SEC East lead.

Go figure.

From the fine print of the stats sheet, here are five reasons Vanderbilt is off to its best start in 58 years:

1. The least penalized team in the SEC

Vanderbilt has been penalized 26 times for 217 yards. Georgia, by comparison, has been penalized 64 times for 513 yards.

Do the math. Vandy has been flagged 38 fewer times for 296 fewer yards than Georgia. That’s a difference of almost three football fields, or half a field per game.

Of the Commodores’ penalties, 10 (for 65 yards) came in last week’s 17-14 loss at Mississippi State. In its five wins, Vanderbilt is averaging just 3.2 penalties for 30.4 yards per game.

2. No. 1 in SEC with scoring TDs in red zone

Yes, the team that ranks last in the league in total offense ranks first in scoring touchdowns once it’s inside the opponent’s 20 yard line.

Out of 21 red-zone chances, Vandy has 15 touchdowns — a 71 percent TD rate. Alabama, by comparison, has scored touchdowns on 52 percent of its red-zone chances. Georgia has done so on 62 percent of its chances.

3. Near the top of the SEC in turnover margin

Turnovers help explain both sides of Vanderbilt’s record — the five wins and the one loss. Vandy won or tied the turnover battle in each of its five wins and lost the turnover battle in its only defeat.

The Commodores have gained seven more turnovers than they’ve lost this season — the second best margin in the SEC to Florida’s plus 10.

Vanderbilt has intercepted 11 passes — third most in the nation and eight more than, say, Georgia. Safety Ryan Hamilton had three interceptions in a win at Ole Miss. Cornerback Myron Lewis sealed a win over Auburn with a late interception.

4. Best in the SEC at sacks

Vanderbilt has 20 sacks — twice as many as, say, Alabama; seven more than, say, Georgia.

Timely sacks have helped Vanderbilt hold opponents to 16.3 points per game (sixth best in the SEC) despite allowing 318.7 yards per game (10th in the SEC). Only one opponent, Rice, has scored more than 17 points against Vandy this season.

5. Best punt returner in the SEC

Georgia coach Mark Richt notes that Vanderbilt has tended to win the field position battle. One key reason: D. J. Moore.

He averages 22.5 yards per punt return, best in the SEC and third best in the nation.

You’ll see a lot of him Saturday: He also returns kickoffs, plays cornerback and occasionally wide receiver.