Nov. 29, 2014
By Jerome Boettcher
Linebacker Kyle Woestmann ended his career with three bowl trips, consecutive bowl victories and part of a class that won more games than any in Vanderbilt history.
But the senior captain said he took just as much pride – if not more – in watching the young Commodores grow through a tough 2014 season that ended on Saturday night with a 24-17 loss to Tennessee.
“Despite the tough emotions, I’ve seen more growth in players this season than I’ve ever seen,” Woestmann said. “Being a captain, a senior and a leader, I don’t think anything can make you more proud than that. I told (linebacker) Stephen Weatherly after this game, `You’re finally being the person you’re supposed to be on the football field. And I’ve never been more proud.’ That goes with a lot of guys. You have a lot of young guys in that secondary, finally playing some hard football, celebrating with each other, playing as a team.
“Getting to be a part of watching guys grow gives me more pride than winning X amount of games.”
Vanderbilt ended the season with a 3-9 record and a 0-8 mark in Southeastern Conference play. As difficult as that was to swallow for the 21 seniors and the entire football team, Saturday’s game provided some hope.
The ‘Dores showed tremendous fight and resilience by not backing down from the Vols a week after a rough loss to No. 4 Mississippi State. They battled out of a 10-point hole in the first half to tie the game. When Tennessee went up two touchdowns in the second half, Vanderbilt didn’t surrender.
Behind quarterback Patton Robinette, Ralph Webb and a strong defensive effort in all three phases, the Commodores pulled within a touchdown. The comeback fell short when Robinette’s fourth-down pass dropped to the ground with 23 seconds left. But the Commodores left the stadium encouraged.
“Tonight was the first time I really felt like we were the Vanderbilt we always talked about being,” Woestmann said. “It is unfortunate that it is the last game of the season and the way the season went. But I’m happy because I think a lot of these guys that still have years to play got a taste of that and know what we are supposed to be, how we are supposed to play and what we are supposed to do. I know all these guys in the black and gold… are going to be ready to go next season and it is going to be what it is supposed to be and what Coach Mason has intended it to be. No doubt in my mind.”
There were plenty of signs of growth on Saturday.
The defense racked up three sacks, 12 tackles for loss – five by Weatherly – and forced two turnovers. Both were by sophomore cornerback Torren McGaster, who collected the first two interceptions of his career, including a timely pick on the first play of the fourth quarter when the Commodores were trailing by only a touchdown.
“The energy was through the roof for this game,” said Weatherly, a sophomore who, along with redshirt freshman Zach Cunningham, had a team-high seven tackles. “We made it a big emphasis to bring the energy and it must go through us – I mean the defense. Trying to keep the energy level high. When our energy level is high, you make plays. And when you make plays it is fun.”
Robinette, also a sophomore, came off the bench and provided a spark by leading two scoring drives and throwing a 36-yard game-tying touchdown to Steven Scheu in the second quarter. Robinette and Webb offered no signs of quit after Tennessee went up 24-10 in the third quarter. Robinette, who had 131 passing yards and 37 rushing a week after suffering an injury, quickly moved the offense down the field with a big pass play and a 19-yard run. That set up Webb, who rushed for more yards than any VU freshman this season. He churned out a 19-yard run of his own and then bounced off three tacklers during a defiant 3-yard touchdown.
“I thought our kids competed hard and they fought,” Mason said. “We gave ourselves a chance. In this game, that’s all you can ask for. I’ve got to give my seniors full credit for stepping out on this field and trying to lay it out all on the line. I told those guys don’t hang your head low. I thought you competed to the best of your abilities. No regrets. You left what you had out on the field.”
Mason then turned his attention to the youngsters, the ones who delivered a gritty performance on Saturday.
With 2014 over, he challenged his team to make those graduating seniors proud – by immediately beginning to work toward a better 2015.
“To our younger guys, it’s time to work,” Mason said. “We’ll wake up tomorrow morning and it is time to grind. It is time to grind. And we’ll push toward next season.”
