Aug. 14, 2010
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On campus in Nashville – Making their initial preseason appearance in Vanderbilt Stadium, the Commodores staged a scrimmage Saturday night that featured plenty of defensive highlights and an inconsistent offense missing several top playmakers.
Coach Robbie Caldwell used the scrimmage, which consisted of 71 plays, to take a close look at a number freshmen and sophomores on the Commodore roster.
“We need some guys to step in and help our football team,” Caldwell said. “It might not have looked real pretty at times, but we did get a lot of snaps for the younger ones. That should help us make some important decisions in the next two weeks.”
The stadium session came exactly three weeks before the Commodores host Big Ten opponent Northwestern in the season opener.
“We’re not ready to play a game yet and not supposed to be ready,” Caldwell said. “We’re trying to install everything we need to and see who wants to play for this team. We’re getting a lot accomplished.”
On Saturday, the defense controlled the practice, getting one big play after another from several young prospects.
The offense, playing without tailbacks Zac Stacy and Wesley Tate and getting limited snaps from two other backs, Warren Norman and Kennard Reeves, produced just one touchdown – a four-yard rush by H-back Ryan van Rensburg.
Among the scrimmage highlights:
- Three passes defended and an impressive open-field tackle by cornerback Trey Wilson.
- Two punishing tackles in pursuit by safety Karl Butler.
- Consecutive pass completions of 10 and 19 yards from quarterback Charlie Goro to wideout Chris Boyd.
- A pass defended by cornerback Steven Clarke in close coverage, forcing a punting situation.
- A jarring stop of tailback Reece Lovell by tackle Jared Morse, resulting in a loss of four yards.
- Two interceptions by linebacker Archibald Barnes, the only turnovers of the scrimmage.
Off the Field Sunday
The Commodores were get their first day of camp without a practice on Sunday. Instead, they will rest and participate in Dore Jam, the program’s free Fan Day activity scheduled to start at 4 p.m., at the John Rich Practice Facility.
The squad will return to practice Monday, staging the first of three two-a-day sessions.
