# Vanderbilt football quarterback competition

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/vanderbilt-football-quarterback-competition
> Updated: 2026-09-06T00:21:22.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 4.

Vanderbilt football opened its season with a 28-9 victory over the Austin Peay Governors at FirstBank Stadium. Although the Commodores secured the win, the contest ended prematurely with 2:16 remaining in regulation after officials and coaches decided to conclude the game due to lightning.

Senior Blaze Berlowitz earned his first career start, recording 149 passing yards, 45 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown. Freshman Jared Curtis also saw action, appearing late in the game. While the running game found success, including a touchdown by Sedrick Alexander, the passing performance drew criticism from fans.

Austin Peay briefly held a 6-5 lead following a Vanderbilt safety and a blocked extra point return. However, Vanderbilt eventually pulled away, aided by a punt return touchdown in the fourth quarter. Following the game, head coach Clark Lea reiterated that the decision to start Berlowitz was specific to the Austin Peay matchup, noting that the competition between Berlowitz and Curtis remains close.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-06: Vanderbilt defeats Austin Peay 28-9 as lightning ends game early

Vanderbilt defeated Austin Peay 28-9 in their football season opener, a game that was called early due to lightning strikes near the stadium.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vanderbilt-defeats-austin-peay-28-9-in-season-opener

### 2026-09-01: Vanderbilt football enters 2026 season with new quarterback competition

Vanderbilt football begins its 2026 season against Austin Peay, featuring a quarterback competition between senior Blaze Berlowitz and freshman Jared Curtis following the departure of Diego Pavia.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vanderbilt-football-enters-2026-season-with-new-quarterback-competition

### 2026-08-27: Vanderbilt names Blaze Berlowitz Week 1 starting quarterback

Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea named senior Blaze Berlowitz the starting quarterback for the season opener, while confirming freshman Jared Curtis will also play in the game.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vanderbilt-names-blaze-berlowitz-week-1-starting-quarterback

### 2026-08-17: Vanderbilt football nears season opener amid quarterback competition

Vanderbilt football is finalizing fall camp preparations ahead of its September 5 opener, with a key quarterback competition between Jared Curtis and Blaze Berlowitz currently underway.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vanderbilt-football-nears-season-opener-amid-quarterback-competition

---
Cite as: Vanderbilt football quarterback competition. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/vanderbilt-football-quarterback-competition