Vanderbilt wide receiver Jordan Matthews was as close to being the hero as he was the heel for the Commodores last night, but the last play that mattered was the one he didn't make.
One of the top, and most consistent, pro prospects in the nation at receiver, Matthews posted 178 receiving yards on 10 catches in Ole Miss' 39-35 thriller of a win. But with Vandy driving in the final minute, an Austin Carta-Samuels pass went directly through Matthews' hands and was intercepted by Cody Prewitt to clinch the game for the Rebels.
Matthews made a valiant effort just to remain in the game. The senior was hit hard by Prewitt earlier in the quarter, striking the back of his head on the Dudley Field turf, and vomited on the field while trainers were attending to him. Although vomiting can be a concussion indicator, Matthews was cleared to return and made a dynamic over-the-shoulder catch on a 4th-and-18 play to keep the Commodores' hopes alive.
Matthews' 178-yard total is a career high, seven yards better than his 171-yard effort against Florida last year.
Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter @ChaseGoodbread.
