Why Vanderbilt football used Blaze Berlowitz at wide receiver vs Auburn

AUBURN, AL ― Vanderbilt football used Blaze Berlowitz at wide receiver during its game against Auburn, a trend that could continue throughout the season.

Berlowitz, who started the season at quarterback for the Commodores (3-1, 0-1 SEC) saw two targets at receiver. He caught one pass but did not gain any yards, and the second throw was incomplete.

Coach Clark Lea said after Vanderbilt’s 21-15 loss to Auburn (3-1, 1-1) on Sept. 26 at Jordan-Hare Stadium that Berlowitz approached the coaching staff about getting reps at receiver as an additional way to help the team. Berlowitz is also prepared to step in for Jared Curtis at quarterback if needed.

“Blaze is such an important part of our team,” Lea said. ” … When you look at his strength measures and speed measures and power measures, this guy is one of the most explosive athletes we have on our team, and so it makes all the sense in the world that we’re going to find a way to use him, and also that he’s going to be prepared to play quarterback too, he knows the system, and so I’m not concerned about reps that he’s taken out on the perimeter. … I think he’s going to have a chance to help us win.”

Berlowitz was 14-for-25 passing for 178 yards passing in two games. He ran 13 times for 50 yards with one rushing touchdown. He started games against Austin Peay and Delaware before Curtis won the starting job. Since Curtis was named the starter, Berlowitz has not played.

“This is a guy that comes in and says, ‘I want to help this team win, I know I can do it,’ and I have the utmost respect for that guy,” Lea said. “He is such a good person, such a great competitor, and he wants to help this team win. … I’m looking forward to him expanding that role as we move through the season.”

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why Vanderbilt football used Blaze Berlowitz at wide receiver vs Auburn