Aug. 17, 2011
Preseason Blog | Ask A Dore | Video: Franklin on morning practice | Five to Watch
Schulz: ‘Dores embrace two-a-days | Kid reporter with Coach | Franklin’s Fundamentals
NASHVILLE – It’s becoming apparent that the toil of hot, muggy days of summer is beginning to impact the Vanderbilt football team. It’s even more obvious that Head Coach James Franklin wants no part of a slowdown and is going to force his Commodores to battle through the summer adversity.
Staging the team’s fourth two-a-day practice in the past week, Franklin pushed the squad through a pair of 90-minute sessions at the John Rich Practice Facility on campus. While the first-year head coach spent portions of both practices praising effort from both sides of the ball, he also found himself demanding better focus and tempo as mental miscues increased.
Franklin’s call for more mental toughness came as the Commodores pushed beyond the midpoint of preseason drills.
After the second practice Wednesday, Franklin said the Commodores have reached a critical point in their August preparation for the season opener against Elon on Sept. 3.
“We’ve gotten to that point of camp where we have to learn to push through it,” Franklin said. “I’d like us to do a little better job (in that area).”
Despite having to stop both practices due to substandard results, Franklin added that his squad has shown huge improvements in two weeks of summer camp. “If you really look at the big picture, I think we have made tremendous strides. We just got to keep doing it,” the coach said.
Practice Highlights:
– In the morning session, tailback Zac Stacy impressed once again, showing excellent speed by outrunning defenders on a long touchdown run. Stacy seems to produce a couple of highlight carries in virtually every practice of camp.
– Wide receiver Jonathan Krause hooked up on a deep route on a well-thrown ball by Jordan Rodgers.
– Cornerback Trey Wilson continues to make big defensive plays, picking off a pass in both practices.
– Wide receiver Chris Boyd drew praise from offensive coaches for a pair of catches in heavy traffic during the morning workout.
– Safety Karl Butler and linebacker Tristan Strong contributed interceptions for the defense.
The Days Ahead:
The Commodores are expected to stage one final two-a-day effort on Friday, leading toward a closed scrimmage Saturday in Vanderbilt Stadium. It will mark the team’s first appearance in the stadium since crews replaced the Bermuda grass surface days after the soldout U2 concert six weeks ago.
After the scrimmage Saturday, Franklin and the Commodores will begin turning more attention toward preparations for Elon. The season opener on Sept. 3 features a $12 discount ticket and post-game fireworks. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
