2010 VANDERBILT COMMODORES FOOTBALL REVIEW

The most current info is at 2011 Vanderbilt Commodores Football Preview

What a difference a year makes. Unfortunately, in the case of the Vanderbilt Commodore football team, that difference was not a good one. The 2009 season proved to be a disappointing one for Head Coach Bobby Johnson and Commodore fans especially after winning the 2008 Music City Bowl against Boston College (16-14) and completing its first winning season in 26 years. Hampered with injuries and underperformance from multiple categories, Vanderbilt claimed just two wins overall (Western Carolina and Rice) and not one victory against an SEC opponent in 2009.

During spring practice and come this fall, the Commodores will need to improve in several key areas if they hope to also improve their win-loss record in the 2010-11 season. These key areas include: Red Zone Efficiency- Just a year after ranking among SEC leaders in red zone offense and defense efficiency, Vanderbilt fell near the bottom of both these categories last season allowing points on 91% of opponents’ possessions. Rush Defense- the defense cannot continue the pattern of allowing an average of 197 yards per game by their opponents. Penalties- Usually keeping pace in the SEC with low infraction numbers and penalty yards, in 2010 Vandy ranked 7th in the SEC in both penalty categories. Third Down Efficiencies- A team’s drives are crushed by lackluster third down efficiency, and after performing above average in this area in 2008, last year Vanderbilt’s ranking in the SEC fell to 10th.

On positive notes, the Commodores return 13 starters including key contributors in the running back position Warren Norman and Zac Stacy. Norman from Stone Mountain, GA was the SEC Freshman of the Year in 2009 with 783 rushing yards and averaging 5.4 yards a carry. He tied an SEC record with three kick-off returns for touchdowns. Despite an ankle injury that plagued Stacy this past season, he was the second leading rusher for Vandy with 478 yards at 4.5 yards a carry. In addition, they will take on red shirt freshman Wesley Tate from Hendersonville, TN onto the squad who is the younger brother of former Norte Dame star Golden Tate. At the wide receiver position, no one player stands out as a spectacular challenge to an SEC defense but returning as a leader with 36 catches and 382 yards in the ’09 season is John Cole. Udom Umoh with 20 receptions and 267 yards and Brady Brown will need to step up their performances if this team position wants to improve on just the two touchdown receptions from last season. Recruits Chris Boyd from Roswell, GA and Jordan Matthews from Madison, AL both may get to see some play on the field quickly. Also returning are two good tight ends in Brandon Barden who had 29 receptions and 357 yards as well as Austin Monahan with 10 receptions and 92 yards. Leading Vanderbilt into the fall season is quarterback Larry Smith who had 106 completions and 1,126 yards in 2009. Additionally, Chris Marve a junior linebacker, one of the SEC’s leading tacklers for the past two seasons, and All-SEC Freshman place kicker Ryan Fowler bring their playing experience back into the mix.

The 2010-11 Commodore schedule is tough and regardless of the positives mentioned, there are large strides to overcome for them to be a factor at all in the overall SEC picture. Improvements to their win-loss ratio will be minimal at best with a chance of just one possible conference win. They will finish out the year at the bottom of the SEC pack once again.

• 2009 Vanderbilt Commodores Football


• 2008 Vanderbilt Commodores Football


• 2007 Vanderbilt Commodores Football


• Vanderbilt Commodores Football History


• Robbie Caldwell Biography --(Vanderbilt Head Coach)


• James Franklin Biography --(Former Vanderbilt Coach)


• Bobby Johnson Biography --(Former Vanderbilt Coach)


• Vanderbilt University Nashville Trip


• SEC Football Predictions


• SEC School Mascots


• Origins of SEC School Colors


• 2008 SEC Football Tickets


• Vanderbilt Commodores Apparel


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