Vanderbilt opens with 28-9 win over Austin Peay with lightning ending game early

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- , Blaze Berlowitz threw for 149 yards and ran for 45 yards and a touchdown as Vanderbilt beat Austin Peay 28-9 in the Commodores' season opener Saturday night that ended with 2:16 left after lightning near the stadium stopped play. Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea and Austin Peay coach Jeff Faris huddled with the referees and officials on the field. Then the public announcer said the game was over with the stands mostly emptied before fireworks went off. “I hated the way it ended,” Lea said. “I hate not being able to shake hands. I hate not being able to sing the alma mater. I hate to not being able to celebrate with our fans, but it was the right thing and so I appreciate our ability to do that.” Lea credited Faris with bringing up the idea of calling the game wanting to kneel out the clock after reaching the 2-minute warning.