Manziel brilliant as AM routs Vanderbilt

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns as the No. 16 Aggies routed Vanderbilt 56-24 at Kyle Field on Saturday afternoon.

The reigning Heisman Trophy winner came into the game with health questions surrounding his right shoulder, but the dynamic passer was a perfect 10-of-10 through the air on the game's very first offensive drive, leading the Aggies right down the field for the first of three 1st quarter touchdowns. The redshirt sophomore completed 25-of-35 passes on the day.

The Aggies offense generated 558 yards despite committing five turnovers in the game.

Trailing 28-0 early in the second quarter, Vanderbilt seized momentum with 17 points as redshirt freshman Patton Robinette completed 7-of-14 passes for 132 yards and 30-yard touchdown to senior Jonathan Krause to make the game interesting going into half time.

Things quickly changed in the third quarter as Robinette's first pass was picked off by A&M's Howard Matthews and returned for a 26-yard touchdown to put the Aggies up 35-17.

The Commodores forced and recovered two fumbles on A&M's next two drives, but failed to capitalize on either occasion and soon saw the Aggies extend the lead to 42-17 when Manziel hooked up with Derel Walker for the second time in the game.

Aggies All-SEC receiver Mike Evans added 5 receptions for 77 yards and two more touchdowns while Malcome Kennedy led A&M with 8 receptions for 83 yards.

Sophomore Josh Grady replaced Robinette soon after, but the Tampa native struggled as well, throwing an interception that set up another Aggies score before going down with an apparent knee injury.

Robinette finished 15-of-28 for 216 yards, but two interceptions and six sacks stymied the first-time starters progression for much of the game.

"The turnovers on offense I think were really the story of the game," Vanderbilt coach James Franklin said following the game. "Turnovers in general are hard to overcome, especially on the road against a good opponent."

Vanderbilt All-American receiver Jordan Matthews caught 8 passes for 92 yards to break the SEC's all-time career receiving yards record, but the Alabama native was kept out of the end zone for the second straight game. Krause caught 3 passes for 89 yards before going down in the second half with a injury.

The Commodores failed to establish much on the ground as Jerron Seymour finished with just 53 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown. Sophomore Brian Kimbrow added 31 yards on nine carries.

The Commodores finished with 329 yards of offense.

Vanderbilt drops to 4-4 on the season with the loss and 1-4 in the SEC. The Commodores will have its second and final bye week of the season next weekend. VU will return to the field on November 9th with a trip to Gainesville to face the Florida Gators.