April 9, 2011
On Campus in Nashville – In their last Vanderbilt Stadium practice before the featured Black and Gold Spring Game, the Commodores went through a 60-play scrimmage Saturday that featured big plays from both the offense and defense.
The offense, limited on the line due to the lack of depth, still produced six touchdowns, including a 95-yard pass from Larry Smith (R-Sr.) to Jordan Matthews (So., WR) early in the session. Smith also showed touch throwing two other touchdowns: a 23-yarder to Matthews and 10-yarder to Jonathan Krause (So. WR).
Colt Nichter (R-Jr., DT), Sean Richardson (Sr., safety) and Andre Hal (So., CB) contributed superb defensive plays. Nichter earned three quarterback sacks, including a pair on a three-play offensive possession. Richardson and Hal registered interceptions.
The scrimmage came in the team’s 11th spring practice – and little more than a week before Head Coach James Franklin puts the squad through the Black & Gold Spring Game on Sunday, April 17. The spring highlight, which features player and coach autographs, fireworks and free admission, kicks off at 6 p.m.
Franklin said a lack of depth in several position groupings likely affected the team’s progress Saturday.
“I would have liked to see us take a little more of a step from the first scrimmage, but we’re having to move so many guys around, we’re having a hard time with consistency,” the head coach said. “I want to see us take the next step during the last week (of spring practice). We need to continue to develop, and eliminate the missed assignments and things that we can control.”
Late in the session, the offense also produced three red-zone scores – rushes by Wesley Tate (R-So., RB) and Zac Stacy (Jr., RB) and a 3-yard pass from Smith to Brandon Barden (R-Sr., TE).
At least four defenders – Chase Garnham (So., LB), Kyle Woestmann (R-Fr., DE), DeAndre Jones (R-Jr., LB) and Steven Clarke (So., DB) – supported Nichter by contributing quarterback sacks.
The Commodores are expected to prepare for the Black & Gold Spring Game with three practices next week.
Rotating at Center
With top centers Logan Stewart (So.) and Jabo Burrow (R-Jr.) missing the session, coaches rotated starting tackle Wesley Johnson (R-So.) and guard-tackle Caleb Welchans (R-Jr.) at the key position.
Competitive Conclusion
With the team’s fate of running extra sprints dependent on their accuracy, placekickers Ryan Fowler (R-Jr.) and Carey Spear (So.) made three of five attempts from 35-and 45-yard distances. The two misses, including Spear’s final effort from 45-yards that caromed no good off the goal posts, brought extra sprints for the entire squad.
The routine continued Franklin’s practice of bringing each spring drills to a competitive conclusion. “I want to put pressure on the kickers, I want to put pressure on the offensive line, defensive line, everybody. We are going to end every practice with some kind of competitive drill where everybody is watching you in and the heat is on,” Franklin said.