NASHVILLE – Despite afternoon showers in the Nashville area, the Commodores hit a steamy practice field on Thursday afternoon for a spirited 90-minute practice.
The practice attracted numerous Vanderbilt faculty and staff, who were invited to the session to get a close look at Derek Mason’s upcoming Commodore squad. “Staff Appreciation Day was outstanding,” Mason said. “To get people out at the end of the work day to watch us practice and really give them an opportunity to see some glimpses of the team makes for a fun day. They came out, enjoyed some barbeque and had a good time.”
Mason was also talked about what he saw on the John Rich Practice Facility from his Commodores.
“Today’s practice was a grind of a practice,” said Mason. “It was a lot of heavy periods, an extended practice where we really wanted to get these guys tired and fatigued to let them know what it will be like at the end of games. Learning to execute at a high level in those conditions is the key to winning those games.”
The head coach thought that all in all it was a good day of practice.
“Our guys came out with the right intentions, even if we didn’t finish quite like we wanted. I thought the defense sort of handled the day after the offense got the upper hand yesterday,” Mason said. “For me, it’s the give and take and the ebb and flow that really makes this football team different than the ones that came before it. Overall, I thought it was a good day of work and I look forward to an even better one tomorrow.”
Vanderbilt will practice Friday and have their second scrimmage of the preseason on Saturday. The Commodores open the 2018 slate against Middle Tennessee on Sept. 1 at 6:30 p.m. from Vanderbilt Stadium.
