Aug. 20, 2016
On campus in Nashville – Vanderbilt capped its preseason camp Saturday with a 55-play, stadium scrimmage that pleased the Commodore head coach.
Players from both sides of the ball stepped forward during the scrimmage. The offense produced three touchdowns and a pair of field goals while the defense played physical and created its first touchdown-producing play in two preseason scrimmages.
Head Coach Derek Mason liked what he saw from the squad in its last full-squad scrimmage. Starting Monday, the Commodores will turn their attention to South Carolina, the team’s opponent in the home opener Sept. 1.
“I’m always looking for this football team to get better and I think we got that done today. The guys practiced hard and got some good work in,” Mason said after the session.
After limited activities Sunday, the Commodores will return to practice Monday and Tuesday, then start fall semester classes on Wednesday.
Mason has been generally pleased with the Commodores’ focus, energy and effort through preseason camp. He thinks the squad can still improve in the days approaching the opener. “Everybody understands we have to keep putting good work on top of good work each day, then we’ll see where this team is come September 1st,” he said.
The head coach, who serves as the team’s defensive coordinator, praised the improvement of Vanderbilt’s offense under second-year coordinator Andy Ludwig.
“They hear what’s said, but I can tell you, this offense has given us all we can handle. They’re as good as they’re ever been since I’ve been here. Those guys are working hard, making plays…and getting better,” Mason said.
Drive-by-drive summary of scrimmage
1st drive — The defense starts impressively, limiting the offense to a quick 3-and-out possession. On consecutive play, the defensive swarmed to tackle Ralph Webb (Jr., RB) for short gains. On third down, defensive pressure forced Kyle Shurmur (So., QB) to miss his third down target.
2nd drive — The defense forces a second straight 3-and-out after a pair of short rushes and and an incomplete pass by Wade Freebeck (Jr., QB).
3rd drive — Khari Blasingame (R-So, RB) looks impressive on a pair of effective rushes, but the defense holds when Ja’karri Thomas (Sr., ILB) deflects a pass and Jalen Banks (Jr., safety) sacks Shurmur to force a punt.
4th drive — After Webb gets a first down on a 9-yard carry and Josh Crawford (So., RB) gains eight yards on a first-down rush, the defense stiffens. A 4-yard tackle for loss by Adam Butler (R-Sr., DL) and sack by Oren Burks (R-Jr., Star) puts the offense behind the chains. After Shurmur and Kalija Lipscomb hook for 13 yards, the defense forces a punt when Tre Herndon (Jr., CB) defends a Shurmur pass intended for Lipscomb.
5th drive — Shurmur drives the offense deep into defensive territory only to have the possession stall on a 3rd down sack by LaDarius Wiley (R-So., safety). The drive included two strong runs by Webb and a Shurmur-to-Trent Sherfield (Jr., WR) pass for 15 yards. On fourth down, Tommy Openshaw (Jr., PK) drilled a 42-yard field goal through the uprights.
6th drive — Freebeck guides the first offensive touchdown drive. Starting at midfield, the quarterback caps the 7-play possession with a 6-yard toss to Jared Pinkney (R-Fr., TE). VI Freeback. During the drive, Freebeck connected with Lipscomb for 12 yards and Sherfield for 28 yards.
7th drive — Zach Cunningham (R-Jr., ILB) dominated the possession that started at the 45-yard line. On consecutive plays, Cunningham tackled a running back for a 3-yard loss, then sacked Freebeck on 3rd down to force a punting situation.
8th drive — Starting at the 50-yard line, Freebeck finds Rivers on a short completion that gains 13 yards. After a rush for two yards and a pair of incompletions, including a near-interception by Andrew Rector (So., safety), Hayden Lekacz (Jr., PK) converted a 47-yard field goal.
9th drive — The offense produce a touchdown on possession that starts at the defense’s 22-yard line. On the three-and-out series, Shurmur narrowly misses scoring throws to Sherfield and C.J. Duncan (Jr., WR).
10th drive — Torren McGaster (Sr., CB) forces the biggest defensive play on the scrimmage. After Crawford is tackled for a 2-yard loss, McGaster picks a Freebeck attempt, and races 85 yards untouched for a score.
Goal line plays to close practice — The offense scored on both possessions inside the 5-yard line to close the scrimmage. The touchdowns came on a powerful carry by Blasingame off guard from 3 yards and a Freebeck-to-Crawford 2-yard pass.
