Recap: Northwestern vs. Vanderbilt

Evanston, IL (Sports Network) - Northwestern quarterback Kain Colter's late touchdown run gave the Wildcats a little breathing room as they captured a 23-13 win over the Vanderbilt Commodores in non-conference play at Ryan Field.

Despite being listed as probable for the game due to a shoulder injury, Colter stepped in to register 66 rushing yards on 13 attempts as well as convert 7- of-15 passes for another 42 yards for the Wildcats (2-0). Venric Mark ran for a game-high 123 yards and scored once on 24 carries, while Trevor Siemian, the hero from last week's victory over Syracuse, hit on 10-of-16 passing for 91 yards.

The Commodores (0-2) were paced by Jordan Rodgers who converted 17-of-33 for 217 yards and a score, but was sacked three times in the setback.

Vandy kicked off the night's scoring early in the first quarter as Rodgers found Jordan Matthews with a 22-yard TD strike.

Less than three minutes later the Wildcats took a bite out of that lead when Jeff Budzien knocked through the first of his three field goals, this one from 40 yards out to make the score 7-3.

The only points of the second frame came from Vanderbilt kicker Carey Spear who booted a 32-yard field goals, giving the Commodores a 10-3 edge at the break.

A 37-yard field goal by Budzien in the third quarter made the score 10-6 heading into a fourth period that proved to be the most active 15-minutes segment of the night.

Mark's seven-yard TD run with 9:28 remaining in regulation gave the Wildcats their first lead of the game at 13-10.

Spear and Budzien both connected on field goals for their squads from 26 and 19 yards, respectively, which made the score 16-13 with 2:01 left in the fourth.

Putting the game out of reach for the hosts was Colter who, with 1:24 to play, reversed field and streaked into the end zone down the right side to give the Wildcats a 23-13 triumph.

Flagged just four times on the night for a loss of 40 yards, Vandy hurt itself with just 4-of-15 success on third down.