Oxford, OH (Sports Network) - Chris Nickson ran for a career-high 166 yards to lead the Vanderbilt Commodores to a 34-13 romp over the Miami-Ohio RedHawks in the season opener for the non-league opponents.

Nickson ran for two scores and three a third in the victory for Vanderbilt (1-0).

Daniel Raudabaugh completed just 19-of-44 passes for 244 yards with three interceptions in the loss for Miami-Ohio (0-1).

The home team got on the board first, as Nathan Parseghian nailed 37-yard field goal at the 11:08 mark of the first quarter to give the RedHawks a 3-0 lead.

Vanderbilt then flexed its muscle, scoring 17 unanswered points over the final 8:01 of the first quarter. First, Chris Nickson threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Sean Walker. Then, after a 42-yard field goal by Bryan Hahnfeldt, Nickson scored on a one-yard touchdown run.

Midway through the second quarter, Miami cut its deficit to 17-10 on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Raudabaugh to Eugene Harris.

Vanderbilt answered right back, however, as Nickson scampered into the end zone from 14 yards out to give the Commodores a 24-10 advantage. The score was extended to 27-10 with 14 seconds left in the first half when Hahnfeldt hit a 32-yard field goal.

Parseghian hit a 29-yard field goal for the RedHawks midway through the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 27-13.

If Miami-Ohio had any hope as the fourth quarter began, Vanderbilt delivered the knockout punch with a three-yard touchdown run by Jared Hawkins, bringing the score to 34-13.

Vanderbilt and fellow SEC member South Carolina both played on college football's opening night, and both teams won convincingly.