2018 Vanderbilt Commodores football team
The 2018 Vanderbilt Commodores football team represented Vanderbilt University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Commodores played their home games at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee and competed in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference. They were led by fifth-year head coach Derek Mason. Vanderbilt finished the season 6–7, 3–5 in SEC play to finish in 6th place in the East Division. They were invited to play in the Texas Bowl where they were defeated by Baylor. This would be the last season the Commodores were bowl eligible until the 2024 season.
Recruiting
Recruits
The Commodores signed a total of 19 recruits.Preseason
Award watch lists
| Chuck Bednarik Award | Charles Wright | LB | SR |
| Maxwell Award | Kyle Shurmur | QB | SR |
| John Mackey Award | Jared Pinkney | TE | JR |
| Walter Camp Award | Kyle Shurmur | QB | SR |
| Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award | Kyle Shurmur | QB | SR |
| Manning Award | Kyle Shurmur | QB | SR |
SEC media poll
The SEC media poll was released on July 20, 2018, with the Commodores predicted to finish last in the East Division.Game summaries
Middle Tennessee
| Statistics | MTSU | VAN |
| First downs | 21 | 19 |
| Total yards | 294 | 346 |
| Rushes–yards | 116 | 176 |
| Passing yards | 178 | 170 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 27–37–1 | 10–17–0 |
| Time of possession | 31:09 | 29:51 |
Nevada
| Statistics | NEV | VAN |
| First downs | 14 | 25 |
| Total yards | 250 | 468 |
| Rushes–yards | 34 | 198 |
| Passing yards | 216 | 270 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 22–39–1–2 | 24–34–2–0 |
| Time of possession | 23:58 | 36:02 |
At Notre Dame
| Statistics | ND | VAN |
| First downs | 24 | 23 |
| Total yards | 380 | 420 |
| Rushes–yards | 245 | 94 |
| Passing yards | 135 | 326 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 16–26–0 | 26–43–1 |
| Time of possession | 29:12 | 30:48 |
South Carolina
| Statistics | SC | VAN |
| First downs | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | ||
| Time of possession |
Tennessee State
| Statistics | TSU | VAN |
| First downs | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | ||
| Time of possession |
At Georgia
| Statistics | UGA | VAN |
| First downs | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | ||
| Time of possession |
Florida
| Statistics | UF | VAN |
| First downs | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | ||
| Time of possession |
At Kentucky
| Statistics | UK | VAN |
| First downs | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | ||
| Time of possession |
At Arkansas
| Statistics | ARK | VAN |
| First downs | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | ||
| Time of possession |
At Missouri
| Statistics | MIZ | VAN |
| First downs | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | ||
| Time of possession |
Ole Miss
| Statistics | MISS | VAN |
| First downs | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | ||
| Time of possession |
Tennessee
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| TENN | Passing | J. Guarantano | 13–29, 139 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| TENN | Rushing | T. Chandler | 7 carries, 88 yards, 1 TD |
| TENN | Receiving | J. Jennings | 2 receptions, 51 yards |
| VAN | Passing | K. Shurmur | 31–35, 367 yards, 3 TD |
| VAN | Rushing | K. Blasingame | 20 carries, 70 yards, 1 TD |
| VAN | Receiving | C. J. Bolar | 6 receptions, 93 yards |
Baylor–Texas Bowl">2018 Texas Bowl">Texas Bowl
| Statistics | BAY | VAN |
| First downs | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | ||
| Time of possession |
Players drafted into the NFL
| 2 | 45 | Joejuan Williams | CB | New England Patriots |
| 6 | 183 | Justin Skule | OT | San Francisco 49ers |