Nov. 25, 2014
Mason | East & Townsend | Jelks & McCrary | Robinette | Taylor
Commodore Gameday Central | Game Notes & Depth Charts
Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason, offensive linemen Joe Townsend and Andrew Jelks, quarterbacks Johnny McCrary and Patton Robinette, snapper Andrew East and defensive lineman Vince Taylor met the media Tuesday to talk about the Commodores’ season finale against Tennessee. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m. CT Saturday in Nashville. The conference matchup will be televised on the SEC Network.
Head Coach Derek Mason
Opening statement:
“It’s rivalry week. It’s about time to kick this thing off here in about four days. In terms of our practices, our guys have come to practice with the right mindset after a tough loss to Mississippi State. We got some things corrected. We talked about our mindset, what we need to be about, what Vanderbilt football is and what their job description entails in terms of their responsibility to play to a certain standard. They have taken the challenge and I think this football team is looking forward to a great contest this Saturday. We know that we have a good opponent coming in here. There is no love lost between these two teams. This football team feels like they have something to prove and I’m sure the team out east feels they have something to prove as they are trying to get bowl eligible. There’s a lot at stake and we are going to play the game that way. It’s looked that way for us in practice. I’m going to continue to make sure we get our best practices in so we can play our best game.”
On the Vanderbilt-Tennessee rivalry:
“It’s a big deal because it’s where you live. Vanderbilt’s won the last two games so there’s added pressure for that group out east to win and get bowl eligible.There are things riding on this game so there’s a lot to play for. There’s a lot behind it and in front of it. When you talk about recruiting and everything else, there’s a lot riding on on this game. Let’s make it about what it is and push all the chips in and let’s go play. I’ve tried to educate myself on the rivalry. I’ve talked to some past players and guys that are still here about what this game means to them. You talk about all the pageantry of this game, but when the ball gets kicked off there are two teams that have to go out and play. Whatever else is there you have to block out and focus on everything that is around and play your football game. I thought we learned something this past week in coming out of that Mississippi State environment in terms of what we need to do and what we need to be about. This is going to be a fun game to play.”
On the importance of recruiting locally:
“It’s always important to recruit your backyard. That’s always first and foremost. We aren’t going to sacrifice our backyard for going national. We just have a national brand. Our brand is national so that’s what we recruit, but we’ve done a good job of looking at guys that fit who we are.”
On Tennessee starting quarterback Joshua Dobbs:
“Josh is talented and he’s bright. He plays the game the way the game should be played and I think he’s been the savior to their season. When you look at how they have rebounded, Josh has been very key to that. He went into the Alabama game and put up points and since then he’s been on a run. He’s smart, has a strong arm, is athletic, makes few mistakes and he’s efficient. We’re playing against a good quarterback who has a great feel for his talents as well as the talent around him. They are a good football team.”
Long Snapper Andrew East
On how the team references Tennessee:
“You know I don’t think anyone has said `Tennessee.’ It’s a rival so you kind of approach it differently.”
On approaching the Tennessee differently than other games:
“It’s a rivalry game, and for us it’s our last game unfortunately as seniors. We have a fourth-and-inches mentality this week, that’s what we’re calling it; doing whatever it takes to get the job done by leaving it out on the field with no regrets.”
On the past two victories over Tennessee:
“We were talking about it as a team, and when we beat them here two years ago it was probably the most fun I’ve had winning a football game. It was a party on the field after. I don’t know if any of you were there, but blasting music and going to meet the fans was a fun time. Obviously last year beating them at Tennessee was a joy.”
Center Joe Townsend
If beating Tennessee can make up for this year’s record:
“I guess because it’s just an in-state rivalry is what people are thinking, but we’ve had a learning experience and a lot of growing pains this year. No matter whom you play, it’s always good to win the last game and beat Tennessee. We’re just taking this week as any other week with the mentality that we’re going to win so we’re going to have to prepare to win. We’re just sticking to the process.”
On possibility of keeping Tennessee out of bowl contention:
“This is our bowl game. This is our last game. I know that this is my last time to play college football and I plan on leaving everything I’ve got on that field like I have the last four years. I want my team to go out with a victory, and that’s just the mindset right now.”
On Patton Robinette having chance to play:
“You’ve got to use Patton (Robinette). He has some stuff that we have to have on the field; his leadership abilities, the way he controls the huddle, the way he manages the game. Those are all things you can’t coach. Him and Johnny (McCrary), both of them, we have to have both of those guys to have the best chance at winning. So I think whenever Patton comes in nothing changes. I consider both of them to be our starting quarterbacks.”
On seeing Tennessee paraphernalia around
“It’s the state of Tennessee. This is a private institution. We’re Vanderbilt, we’re our own. It doesn’t really bother me. Just like when you go anywhere else, it’s the state school so I would expect to see that everywhere.”
On reaction towards Mississippi State loss:
“Ask yourself that question. How would you feel getting beat 51-0? Anyone can answer that. It was exactly what it looked like; it was bad. We got beat bad and it hurt just like every loss does. You move on.”
On coach Mason’s postgame reaction:
“We’ve seen him like that at times. I don’t think after a game I’ve ever seen him like that in the locker room, but it was good. That’s what we need. I’m glad he did that, and that’s the worst I or anyone else has ever gotten beaten. He was emotional and he let us know how he felt. This is an emotional game, and you need to wear your emotions on your sleeve and there is nothing wrong with that. He let us know exactly how he felt.
“All we can do is our job. He has his job. I have a job. The quarterbacks have a job. If we can all control our jobs to the best of our ability, and control what we can control, then nothing else really matters. Just do your job, and do it to your best ability. Coach Mason, I have his back and he has my back. It’s always going to be like that. Just speaking from me to him, for an example, when two guys commit to something and they give it everything they’ve got, there is a bond that will never be broken no matter if you win or lose. You’re both fighting and you’re both doing something that you love, and you’re doing it together. I don’t know if he was talking about us as a team or as captains, but what we’ve been doing all season is staying positive and just working. That’s all we can do.”
Quarterback Johnny McCrary
On embracing the rivalry:
“Obviously they done like us, we don’t like them. We just go out here like it’s a normal game as players, but we are aware of the rivalry as well. We just want to go out there and keep the winning streak going.”
On approaching the Tennessee game differently than others:
“We have a fourth-and-inches mentality that coach has been talking about. That’s how we’re trying to approach this game. This is pretty much a critical game for us, any game is, but this is Tennessee and we are Vandy so it is a big deal in the state of Tennessee.”
On going out with a win:
“For me, this is more for the seniors. They’ve been a key part to the growth, an excellence of this program. We just want to make sure they go out on a win. That’s the biggest deal.”
On a dual-quarterback system:
“Having a two-quarterback system going into the game gives some type of versatility and a different look for the defense. That can possibly work in our favor and help us win.”
On progress through game experience:
“That has definitely helped. With experience, you get to go through the ups and downs, which can help you out later on. There’s nothing like being out there and actually getting that type of experience rather than just at practice. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and I think this year can help us out in the future.”
Offensive Tackle Andrew Jelks
On potential of freshman class:
“I practice with these guys every day. I’m in the locker room with these guys every day. I work out with these guys every day. I see where they’re going to be and I know they’re going to be good players. I have faith in the coaching staff that they’re going to develop them well. You can see it on Saturdays, they’re going to make mistakes, but they’re young guys. Game experience is one of the key components in becoming a better football player. They’re getting that experience now and I really like where they’re headed.”
On ranking wins against Tennessee:
“Those were probably two of the most fun wins I’ve had in my time here. Last year we had a lot of success, but beating Tennessee that was big for us and a lot of fun.”
On impact of wins against Tennessee:
“Really when you live in the state of Tennessee, you’re heckled by those fans all the time. You have that upper leg on them for a year, so it’s nice to get that win.”
On meaning of win as Tennessee native:
“Just growing up with family ties to Tennessee, it is nice to knock them off, but as Johnny (McCrary) said we’re really out here for the seniors. This I the winningest class in Vanderbilt history and we want to send them out on a positive note.”
On seeing Tennessee paraphernalia around:
“You have to control what you can control, and we can’t control that.”
On offensive line helping Ralph Webb break records:
“As an offensive line, we take pride on getting that man his yards, or Dallas (Rivers), or whoever else is back there. We trust them all. We try to keep this man right here clean (Johnny McCrary) and Patton (Robinette). We take pride in keeping them clean and helping Ralph (Webb) get his yards.”
Quarterback Patton Robinette
On injuries throughout season:
“This is the first season that I’ve ever dealt with the injury bug. I’ve been fortunate to be pretty healthy throughout my career. This has been something new for me. It’s been a learning experience for me, but I’ve tried to stay positive through it all and keep working hard and pushing my teammates, whether or not I could be at practice, doing all I can to try to help this team. I feel like I’ve grown from that. The season hasn’t gone as we expected team wise, or for myself individually, but we’ve got a great opportunity this week to build some momentum moving forward.”
On getting cleared for Tennessee game:
“I told the training staff and Coach Mason that they were going to have to drug me to keep me from playing this game. This is obviously a big game for me, being an East Tennessee boy. It’s good for our team, just trying to get an SEC win this season.”
On importance of one SEC win:
“We need some momentum moving forward to next season, getting ourselves started in the right direction. Regardless of who we’re playing I feel like it would be very important to get a win, it’s always important to get a win, but in this conference, and the fact that we’re going up against out in-state rival just makes it that much more important.”
On having bragging rights:
“It’s been great, I’m not going to lie. We’ve always been looked at as the little brother of the state, and when I signed I heard that a lot from people back home. But getting the win here two years ago, the 41-18 win, and how things played out in Knoxville, it’s been great to have that little jab at my friends.”
Defensive Lineman Vince Taylor
On ranking wins against Tennessee:
“They were all great. I can’t rank them since I’m still playing, so that’s something I would do later on in life. But right now this next game and opportunity, I can’t really look back at the last two years when we have this up-and-coming event. This is the one that really matters.”
Comparing Josh Dobbs to former opponents:
“He’s smaller than Dak Prescott, but definitely faster. We’ll definitely have to keep him contained.”
On this season’s expectations:
“You could have never told me it was going to go like this before the season. But when I’ve seen teams who went two years with three or fours wins and then play in the national championship … It’s just a matter of the team adjusting and coming together.”
On Coach Mason’s Mississippi State postgame reaction:
“I really can’t say he was angry, but it’s good for our leader, Coach Mason, to show that he’s hurt by it rather than give the same speeches. I see some places that give the same speeches, but he let us know how he really felt and that’s a thing I admire about him… he keeps it cut and dry.”
On possibility of keeping Tennessee out of bowl contention:
“There would be great satisfaction. It would be good for both of us to be here, watching the bowl games.”
On approaching the Tennessee game differently than other games:
“This is pretty much the state championship game.”
