March 4, 2017
On campus in Nashville – Vanderbilt started and finished its first spring workout in full gear with contact drills Saturday morning.
The Commodores pushed through the 90-minute practice at the John Rich Complex, working on virtually every facet of the game. Afterward, the players departed for the start of spring break, and are not expected back until March 13.
Coach Derek Mason left the practice field feeling good about the team’s effort, focus and energy after a week of Spring Ball. “The guys practiced hard today, had good energy, and were very competitive. I thought this team got a lot out of the practice,” Mason said. “We still have a long way to go, but I’m pretty happy with what we have accomplished and where this team is headed.”
Utilizing SEC referees for the first time, Mason opened the session with a brief 11-on-11 drill, then put the squad through periods devoted to fundamental techniques, special teams, and scheme development. The practice concluded the day with a 25-play situational scrimmage featuring full and limited contact tackling.
Highlights from limited contact, 11-on-11 segment
– Shawn Stankavage (R-So., QB) connected with Donaven Tennyson (So., WR) deep on the right sideline for 35 yards.
– Josh Smith (Jr., OLB) defeated a block on the edge and stuffed Ralph Webb (Sr., RB) for a loss of two yards.
– Kalija Lipscomb (So., WR) had an acrobatic catch of a pass from Deuce Wallace (R-Fr., QB), resulting in a 20-yard gain
– Zaire Jones (R-Fr., safety) and Oren Burks (Sr., ILB) registered interceptions, with Burks’ pick coming off a deflection by Dare Odeyingbo (Jr., DE).
– Pressure by Jonathan Wynn (R-Sr., DE) and Charles Wright (R-Jr., OLB) forced incompletions.
– Jamauri Wakefield (R-Fr., RB) looked impressive rushing for 21 yards on three consecutive inside carries.
– Stankavage connected with Sam Dobbs (Jr., TE) on a deep route for 23 yards.
– After getting sacked by Emmanuel Smith (Sr., ILB), Wallace rebounded to connect on passes of 9 yards to Jackson Winrow (R-Fr., WR), 10 yards to Dallas Rivers (Sr., RB) and 12 yards to Jared Pinkney (R-So., TE).
– Rivers capped the partial tackling session by taking a sweep off the right tackle for 35 yards.
Top plays during full-contact, red-zone drills
– Following an 8-yard gain by Trent Sherfield (Sr., WR), Khari Blasingame (R-Jr., RB) scored from the 4-yard line on a punishing carry off right tackle.
– Josiah Sa’o (R-Fr., DT) broke through the offensive line to tackle Wakefield for a 2-yard loss.
– Arnold Tarpley III (Sr., safety) forced a field goal try by knocking down a Stankavage pass on third down.
– Three young defenders – Caleb Peart (R-So., OLB), Dimitri Moore (Fr., ILB) and Cameron Tidd (R-Fr., DL) – contributed quarterback sacks or tackles for loss on the closing possession to keep the offense out of the end zone.
