July 22, 2015
Frank Mordica Jr., one of the greatest running backs in Vanderbilt history, passed away recently in his hometown of Tallahassee, Fla.
Mordica, whose 2,632 rushing yards from 1976-79 stood as a Commodore record for 33 years, died July 18 of a heart attack while exercising at a Tallahassee fitness center, a family member has confirmed. Mordica was 57 years of age.
To many Vanderbilt fans, Mordica is best remembered for the most remarkable single-game rushing performance in team history – a 321-yard, five-touchdown effort against Air Force on Nov. 18, 1978.
The rushing performance against Air Force, coached at the time by one-time Vanderbilt defensive coordinator Bill Parcells, also set a new Southeastern Conference standard that has been equaled just once – by former Arkansas standout Darren McFadden in 2007. Mordica’s total, which came on just 22 carries, is 107 yards more than the No. 2 rushing total in Vanderbilt history.
The speedy Mordica earned SEC All-Freshman honors in 1976, then topped the Commodores in rushing as a sophomore. In 1978, Mordica became the first Vanderbilt back to surpass 1,000 rushing yards, ending the season with 1,065 yards and eight touchdowns while earning second team All-SEC recognition from Associated Press writers.
Mordica rushed for 830 yards as a senior in 1979, finishing his career with 2,632 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns. His career total stood as a Vanderbilt record until 2012 when Zac Stacy pushed the mark to 3,143 yards.
Drafted in the ninth round of the 1980 NFL Draft and 233rd overall by the New Orleans Saints, Mordica was forced out of football prior to his rookie season because of knee injury.
Mordica completed a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from the Peabody College in 1981. Soon afterward, he entered the U.S. Navy, eventually retiring in 2011 with the rank of master chief petty officer.
Mordica returned to Tallahassee upon his retirement from active duty.
Mordica is the father of a son, Frank III.
Strong & Jones Funeral Home of Tallahassee will be handling arrangements. Services are tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 1 at Tallahassee’s Greater St. Mark Primitive Baptist Church in Tallahassee. Burial is scheduled at Jacksonville (Fla.) National Cemetery.
