Did Kyle Shurmur miss an open Kalija Lipscomb? 'Maybe, maybe not'

Adam Sparks | The Tennessean

Kalija Lipscomb was open, but Kyle Shurmur didn’t get him the ball.

That’s what coach Derek Mason said about Vanderbilt’s 37-27 loss to No. 12 Florida, but Lipscomb tried to tip-toe around the topic as a loyal teammate at Tuesday’s press conference.

“Maybe, maybe not,” Lipscomb said when asked whether Shurmur missed him when he was open. “That’s how football games go.”

Mason already had answered the question for Lipscomb a few minutes earlier.

“Those could have been big plays. Kalija was open,” Mason said. “Go back and look at the film, and Kalija was open. The read progression probably took (Shurmur) the other way a couple of times, but we have to find that dude. He’s too good of a player for us to miss him.”

Vanderbilt (3-4, 0-3 SEC) plays at No. 17 Kentucky (5-1, 3-1) on Saturday (6:30 p.m., SEC Network), when Lipscomb will try to break out of a mild slump.

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Lipscomb, the SEC’s receptions leader in the first half of the season, had his second straight sub-par game. He had two catches for 16 yards in a 41-13 loss to No. 6 Georgia and then four catches for 64 yards against Florida.

Lipscomb was animated during the game and almost silent after it. He answered questions in the post-game press conference in a low, seething whisper.

On Tuesday, Lipscomb appeared mildly embarrassed that his emotions got the better of him during the game.

“Normally I’m not (that visibly frustrated). But some guys hit me on Instagram after the game and were like, ‘Man, you look frustrated out there,’” Lipscomb said. “Last week was the first time in my college career that I got kind of frustrated during a game.

“I just have to stay within myself and realize that I have to work within the offense. I can’t get in my own head and start dysfunction from there. It’s not just about me and getting my touches. It’s about the offense production-wise and getting the W.”

Lipscomb, Jared Pinkney need boost in SEC games

Lipscomb’s production has dropped in SEC games. In four nonconference games, he racked up 34 receptions for 408 yards and five touchdowns. But in three SEC games, he has 15 receptions for 152 yards and one touchdown.

Likewise, only 79 of talented tight end Jared Pinkney’s 348 receiving yards have come in SEC games.

The passing game must focus on Lipscomb and Pinkney, but also expand beyond them. It’s a delicate balance that Shurmur must strike as he tries to find late-season wins and chase Vanderbilt’s career passing record. Shurmur trails Jay Cutler by 1,333 yards with five regular-season games remaining.

Mason said he wants Shurmur to find Lipscomb and Pinkney, but he also counted five or six costly dropped passes by other receivers against Florida.

“Other guys got to make plays. It’s not on one guy,” Mason said. “But when the ball comes your way, get it caught. Whether it’s a 5-yard hitch or a 12-yard slant or a bang-8 and the ball hits you in the hands, let’s catch the ball.”

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Reach Adam Sparks at asparks@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks.