March 24, 2009
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Black and Gold Scrimmage, annually the featured attraction of the Commodores’ Spring Practice activities, is scheduled Saturday, March 28 in Vanderbilt Stadium.
Vanderbilt fans are invited to come out and see the spring progress of Head Coach Bobby Johnson’s Commodores. Coming off a 7-6 campaign and Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl victory, the Vanderbilt squad has spent the first three weeks of spring drills finding offensive playmakers and building overall depth.
The Black & Gold Scrimmage starts at 10:30 a.m. CT. It is free to the public. Due to stadium construction, access to the stadium will be limited to Gate 3 near Hawkins Baseball Field.
The scrimmage is part of a big weekend for Johnson’s gridiron squad. On Sunday, Johnson and the program will host a Football Awards Banquet and 2008 Bowl Celebration at the Cool Springs Embassy Suites.
Despite the return of 19 starters from 2008, the Commodores have worked to replace several excellent players from a year ago, including All-America defensive back/return specialist D.J. Moore, safety and co-captain Reshard Langford, wide receivers George Smith and Sean Walker, and all-time leading placekicker Bryant Hahnfeldt.
“We’ve enjoyed a very productive Spring Practice thus far,” Johnson said. “I’ve been pleased with our enthusiasm, effort and intensity, and I expect that we’ll continue the momentum Saturday.
“We want to see as many of our fans as possible come out to the stadium and enjoy the scrimmage. It will be a great chance for Commodore followers to see the progress of our younger guys that will be counted heavily next year. Those are the guys that need to take full advantage of the (Black and Gold) scrimmage.”
Nearly 80 Commodores are expected to participate for the scrimmage, which will feature an offense-vs.-defense format for the eighth consecutive year under Johnson.