March 20, 2007
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Photo by Stan Jones
On Campus in Nashville –
Johnny Majors prowled the sidelines for 16 years trying to defeat Vanderbilt. On Tuesday, he talked to the entire Commodore squad as an invited guest of head coach Bobby Johnson.
Johnson asked Majors to speak just before putting the Commodores through a 39-play scrimmage in Vanderbilt Stadium. Introduced by Johnson as a coaching legend, Majors addressed several topics, ranging from his fond memories attending games in Dudley Field as a youngster to his admiration for Johnson, his staff and the Commodore players.
“I like the way you practice and how your coaches teach. Listen to them because they know what they’re talking about,” Majors said. “Always practice like you plan to play. When practice is over, ask yourself if you gave your very best to help the team. Always remember that it’s our team, not my team.”
Majors, who watched 90 minutes of individual and team drills, offered more advice to the Commodores. “If you’re going to play football, give it all you’ve got. Try to make your coaches proud, your parents proud and your community proud.”
Johnson said he was delighted to have Majors on the Vanderbilt campus watching his team.
“I loved it. He’s a good guy,” Johnson said. “That man is a true living legend of our game. He was an All-American as a player, won a national championship as a coach, and won several SEC championships as a coach.”
“I’ll tell you another thing. Coach Majors has been away from football for a few years, but everything he told the players was pertinent to today’s game, down to the last word. I’m very appreciative of his interest and his words to our team,” Johnson added.
Majors, who guided the University of Pittsburgh to the 1976 national championship behind Heisman Trophy-winning tailback Tony Dorsett, told the players of his first visit to Dudley Field. His dad, Shirley Majors, drove 12-year-old Johnny and younger brothers Joe and Bill from south of Lynchburg to the Vanderbilt-Ole Miss game in 1947. “That Ole Miss team had (Charlie) Conerly at quarterback and was pretty good, but a good Vanderbilt team beat ’em in a close game. I still remember exactly where we sat.”
Defense Controls Scrimmage in Stadium
The Commodore defense appeared to get the upper hand in a 11-drive scrimmage that concluded the practice. The team started the session at the John Rich Practice Facility, then moved into the stadium after 30 minutes to begin the scrimmage.
A number of defenders made key stops to keep the offense out of the end-zone until the last of 39 plays when junior tailback Jeff Jennings scored from six yards out. Playing four series, senior defensive tackle Theo Horrocks contributed a quarterback sack and bruising tackle on tailback Jared Hawkins to stop drives. Tackles for lost yardage by sophomore defensive ends Steven Stone and Broderick Stewart, junior safety Reshard Langford, and senior linebacker Dom Morias halted other possessions.
On offense, Jennings, sophomore Gaston Miller and freshman Kennard Reeves produced big gains running the ball.
Gold Jerseys to Williams and Lewis
Johnson brought out the coveted gold jerseys for the first time Tuesday, awarding them to redshirt senior offensive tackle Chris Williams and sophomore cornerback Myron Lewis. Williams is an All-Southeastern Conference player and two-year starter who has earned praises from the offensive coaches through the first week of Spring Practice. Lewis is making a case for getting serious time at one of the open cornerback positions.
“We awarded the jerseys to Chris and Myron for their efforts during the scrimmage Sunday, but both of them have been very effective from our first spring practice,” Johnson said.