March 3, 2011
NASHVILLE – The first three games of James Franklin’s tenure as head coach of the Commodores will take place on-campus in Vanderbilt Stadium, athletic officials announced today.
Franklin’s Commodores will open the 2011 season by hosting Elon University on Sept. 3, followed by Connecticut on Sept. 10 and Ole Miss on Sept. 17.
| 2011 Football Schedule | |
| Date | Opponent |
| Sept. 3 | Elon |
| Sept. 10 | Connecticut |
| Sept. 17 | Ole Miss |
| Sept. 24 | at South Carolina |
| Oct. 8 | at Alabama |
| Oct. 15 | Georgia |
| Oct. 22 | Army |
| Oct. 29 | Arkansas |
| Nov. 5 | at Florida |
| Nov. 12 | Kentucky |
| Nov. 19 | at Tennessee |
| Nov. 26 | at Wake Forest |
The first three games are part of a seven-game home schedule for the Commodores, coming off a disappointing 2-10 campaign in 2010.
“We are intent on building a winning culture at Vanderbilt. This exciting schedule, to be played in front of enthusiastic and supportive home crowds, will go a long way to helping lay that foundation of success,” Franklin said. “As the coaches and players go forward, all of our focus will be on getting prepared for Elon, our first opponent.”
Later in the season, the Commodores will enjoy another three-game home stretch, facing Georgia on Oct. 15, Army for homecoming on Oct. 22 and Arkansas on Oct. 29. The team’s season home finale, against traditional Southeastern Conference Eastern Division rival Kentucky, will take place Nov. 12.
An announcement on kickoff times for the early-season home encounters is not expected until later this summer.
In addition to the seven home games, the Commodores will travel to face five opponents: South Carolina (Sept. 24), Alabama (Oct. 8), Florida (Nov. 5), Tennessee (Nov. 19) and Wake Forest (Nov. 26). It will mark the first time in Vanderbilt’s 121-year gridiron history that the Commodores have faced Alabama, Florida and Tennessee on the road in the same season.
The upcoming schedule, featuring eight SEC opponents, offers plenty of challenges. Nine of the 12 foes are coming off postseason bowl appearances.
“The quality of our schedule, year in and year out, is always going to be superb. That’s one of the main reasons this coaching staff and our players came to Vanderbilt. All of us get a chance to compete and participate at the highest levels of our sport,” Franklin said. “This is the premier football conference in the nation.”