Vanderbilt football got its first SEC win of the season and snapped its five-game losing streak, beating Mississippi State 25-23.

Vanderbilt gradually built a significant lead throughout the first half. After a defensive stop on fourth down that set the offense up at midfield, Vanderbilt went on a 35-yard scoring drive that ended in a Brock Taylor field goal.

The next offensive possession, Vanderbilt put on another scoring drive that was a Clark Lea classic. The Commodores went on a 18-play, 87-yard drive that lasted over 10 minutes and ended in a touchdown run for running back Sedrick Alexander.

Vanderbilt closed the second quarter with two more field goals that extended the lead to 16-0 going into halftime.

The story of the first half was Vanderbilt’s defense. The Commodores forced four consecutive three-and-outs against the Mississippi State offense. In recent weeks, Vanderbilt has struggled after the first quarter defensively. Saturday, that changed.…