Dec. 23, 2016
By Zac Ellis
VUCommodores.com
SHREVEPORT, La. – A little rain didn’t stop Vanderbilt from hitting the practice field on Friday.
One day after arriving in Shreveport ahead of Monday’s matchup with N.C. State in the Independence Bowl, the Commodores held their first practice on Friday morning at the Freedom Field complex at First Bossier Baptist Church. They were welcomed by a chilly rain, which left most staffers soaked after a nearly 90-minute workout.
But Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason said the weather added a necessary element to his team’s arrival in Shreveport. Early forecasts call for chance of rain around Monday’s 4 p.m. CT kickoff at the Independence Bowl. That’s why the `Dores used the weather to their advantage on Friday.
“It’s good to get outside in the elements a little bit,” Mason said. “It’s a little wet, and it could be wet on Monday. Our guys need to know and understand what to expect if it’s a wet day.”
Despite the conditions, Mason said his team “practiced hard” and displayed a good energy. Still, the coach saw examples of the weather’s potential impact on Vanderbilt’s bowl.
“I saw a couple of defensive backs drop [passes],” Mason said. “It just means we need to get better.”
Business trip
Vanderbilt’s staff blasted music throughout the entirety of Friday’s workout, an eclectic playlist that included Bruce Springsteen, Creed and a hodgepodge of other artists. The tunes added a fun element to an already energetic group of `Dores. But team leaders like safety Ryan White cautioned teammates to remember the purpose of their trip.
“I told the guys before, this isn’t a free vacation,” White said. “It’s all business. Everybody was flying around. We like to come out here and have fun, but at the same time, be about our business.”
The Commodores will spend the rest of Friday resting before a team dinner event in the evening. In between workouts, wide receiver C.J. Duncan said Vanderbilt’s players plan to take it easy as much as possible.
“We’re really focused on doing what we have to do and staying out of trouble,” Duncan said. “We’ll go and see the boardwalk or get food, but it’s more about the camaraderie with your brothers. We’ll stay in the hotel, do things together, video games and things of that nature. We’ll stick together, not so much wandering off.”
Healthy `Dores
Mason said injuries are not an issue for Vanderbilt as it prepares for N.C. State.
“I think all these guys are healthy,” Mason said. “The guys who have played for us and been big for us, they’re all healthy. Now what we have to do is just continue to put good work on top of good work.”
