Sixty Seconds with Stamper and Goff

Sixty Seconds with Stamper and Goff

7/20/2006

Yesterday, VUCOMMODORES.COM gave you a first look at the 2006 Vanderbilt Football poster and schedule cards (click here). We caught up with the team captains, Brian Stamper and Jonathan Goff, to get their thoughts on the designs and the upcoming season.

Don’t forget to pick up your posters and schedule cards starting this Friday, July 21, at the “Commodores in the Community” events in Nashville (entire schedule). Also, check out this summer football photo shoot courtesy of Neil Brake (click here).

SIXTY SECONDS WITH BRIAN STAMPER

VUCOMMODORES.COM: Brian, what do you think about your face being on schedule cards all over Nashville?

BRIAN STAMPER: I think it will be fun having my picture in places throughout Nashville. Hopefully people will still pick up the schedule cards even though my face is on it. They’ll probably be more attracted to (Jonathan) Goff’s card, though.

VU: So you think Goff’s schedule card is better?

STAMPER: His card is definitely better. He looks pretty intimidating and sweaty in the picture. I would pick his up over mine any day.

VU: After hearing about the success of your photo shoot, rumor has it that you have prior modeling experience.

STAMPER: Haha. Not really. My mom is a professional photographer and she takes photos at the games, so I guess that’s pretty close. I also work as an intern for a modeling agency, but I’m not an actual model. I am flattered that you would think that though.

VU: Tell me about the last movie you saw and how would you rate it?

STAMPER: The Omen. I saw it with my roommate, Merritt (Kirchoffer), and it was pretty scary. It’s not a very good movie, but it scared the two of us pretty well. It was kind of disturbing actually.

VU: It’s good to know that you can still be scared of something at 6’5″, 300 pounds. Let’s move to the gridiron. How does it feel to be picked as a captain by your teammates, and to be named to the pre-season Outland Trophy watch list?

STAMPER: It is a huge honor to be picked as a captain. I can’t even express how much it means to me. It shows that my teammates have a lot of confidence in my abilities as a leader and as a player. It’s also a privilege to be named to the Outland Trophy watch list. I think that it’s a reflection of one’s hard work when they are recognized on a list like that. I am just going to continue to work as hard as I can and do my best for the team.

VU: In closing, there were a lot of great memories from 2005. What can we expect from the team this season? How do you build off last year?

STAMPER: I am very excited about this season. We have so much talent on this team right now. I know we will be successful. I think we have grown so much this off-season, on the field and off the field. I expect very good things from this team.

SIXTY SECONDS WITH JONATHAN GOFF

VUCOMMODORES.COM: Jon, you’ve seen the designs. Who has the better schedule card- you or Brian Stamper?

JONATHAN GOFF: I’m going to have to say that mine is a tad bit better. Stamper’s card is pretty cool, too.

VU: Your card is not the typical design that we’ve seen in the past. What do you think your teammates will say about it?

GOFF: They’ll probably joke about how shiny I look.

VU: Looking at the photo shoot, you can see that you’re dedicated to the weight room. What does your workout regiment consist of and what’s your favorite exercise?

GOFF: First, I work the core, then I’ll clean squat and bench before moving on to shoulders, neck, biceps, triceps, calves, and so on. My favorite lift is the power clean, because it requires technique along with explosiveness and you can’t get better only having one and not the other.

VU: A few opposing running backs have felt that explosiveness before. By the way, what music are you listening to?

GOFF: I’m not listening to any particular CD right now, but I definitely want to check out the new Gnarls Barkley album.

VU: With the season fast approaching, how have you spent the summer preparing for another year in the toughest conference in America?

GOFF: I’ve been working out, running, lifting weights, and doing my best to coach the younger guys on their technique, so they will be ready for what’s down the road. I’ve also spent a significant amount of time studying the defense.

VU: Final question. There is a lot of buzz about the opening game this year at “the Big House.” Are you ready for Michigan?

GOFF: Yes.

The Commodores open their 2006 season on the road against powerful Big Ten member Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 2, followed by a SEC road game Sept. 9 at Alabama. The team’s home opener, scheduled Sept. 16, is against SEC West Division foe Arkansas.

Season tickets for Vanderbilt’s six home games are the least expensive in the SEC, starting at $80 per person. Besides Arkansas, the Commodores host Tennessee State on Sept. 23, Temple on Sept. 30, South Carolina on Oct. 21, Florida on Nov. 4 and Tennessee on Nov. 18. To purchase season tickets, click here! It’s Good to be Gold!