Dec. 6, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Bobby Johnson’s Commodores returned to work Saturday, completing their initial practice in preparation for the team’s first postseason bowl appearance in 26 years.
Johnson put the squad through a 90-minute, non-contact session at the John Rich Practice Facility on campus, concentrating much of the session on fundamentals and individual instruction. It was the team’s first practice since the Commodores dropped their regular season finale at Wake Forest on Nov. 29 to even their overall record at 6-6.
“We just wanted to move around a little bit and get everybody back in a football mode,” Johnson said. “I thought we looked well rested and were ready to practice.
Johnson said Vanderbilt athletic officials hope to receive an official bowl invitation Sunday afternoon. The coach did not speculate on where Vanderbilt will make its fourth bowl appearance ever. The Commodores are 1-1-1 all-time in bowl appearances: winning the 1955 Gator Bowl against Auburn in Jacksonville, tying Texas Tech in the 1974 Peach Bowl in Atlanta, and losing to Air Force in the 1982 Hall of Fame Bowl in Birmingham.
“Our guys are excited about a bowl game. They also understand that we need to work hard to be a great representative to whatever bowl we attend,” the coach added.