Sept. 7, 2011
Gameday Central | Game Notes & Depth Chart
Arrive Early, Stay Late for Black Out Saturday
James Franklin and the Vanderbilt marketing department want everybody wearing black Saturday night as the Commodores battle reigning Big East co-champion Connecticut.
Taking a direct quote from the coach, “Arrive early and stay late.” Dore Alley, which starts at 4:05 p.m. at the intersection of Children’s Way and Natchez Trace, was a big hit last Saturday, allowing fans to welcome the Commodores to campus. Coach Franklin is encouraging those participating in Employee Celebration to come by and greet the team. There’s also live music and a huge new Kids Area near the Vandyville site.
Halftime Recognition of Coach MacIntyre
Dozens of former players are expected to gather at halftime of the Connecticut game to help celebrate former Vanderbilt Head Coach Coach George MacIntyre, who will be honored for his incredible contribution to the legacy of Commodore football.
Coach MacIntyre, a longtime resident of Nashville, was known throughout his coaching career as a powerful motivator with an infectious personality. Those qualities have never been more apparent than in his current battle with multiple sclerosis.
“Coach Mac,” as he’s always been known to Vanderbilt fans, served as head coach of the Commodores from 1979-1985. He guided Vanderbilt to several big victories, including an upset of 14th-ranked Florida 31-29 in 1982 that led to an 8-3 regular season and appearance in the Hall of Fame Bowl. That year, he received the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award, the Sporting News College Football Coach of the Year and the SEC Coach of the Year.
9-11 Recognition
The Spirit of Gold Marching Band will pay tribute to 9-11 victims during a halftime presentation featuring several patriotic songs. The 10th anniversary of the tragic events that occurred Sept. 11, 2001 is Sunday.
New Coaches for Second Consecutive Week
Two coaches new to their programs will guide their teams Saturday when Vanderbilt and UConn square off. While James Franklin directs the Commodore sideline, former Syracuse head coach Paul Pasqualoni guides the Huskies.
How about an odd coaching angle: Pasqualoni replaced Randy Edsall at Connecticut, who moved from Storrs to the University of Maryland where Vanderbilt’s first-year coach served last year as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator.
Marve Moves Up Tackle List
Chris Marve (Sr., LB) moved into 12th place all-time among Vanderbilt tacklers with 12 total stops against Elon. It was his 16th game of double digit tackles. Marve went past Jonathan Goff (check below for more on on Goff) during the Elon game and needs 32 more tackles to pass Randy Sittason (1975-78) for 11th place.
Setting Career Highs
Three Commodore defenders posted career highs in tackles Saturday, topped by first-time starter Chase Garnham (So., LB) with six tackles. Others enjoying career efforts were Karl Butler (So., safety) with four tackles and Tristan Strong (R-Jr., LB) with three tackles.
New Weapons on Offense
Maybe Coach Franklin and the Commodores have found more offensive weapons in Chris Boyd (R-Fr., WR) and Jerron Seymour (Fr., RB).
Boyd’s first appearance in a Vanderbilt uniform couldn’t have gone much better: two catches resulting in two touchdowns. One of the scores came on the first career pass for junior QB Jordan Rodgers. Seymour also impressed, producing a 14-yard rush and 21-yard reception in limited action.
New Book Out on Vanderbilt Football History
Bill Traughber, the Brentwood-based sports historian that writes the Commodore History column on vucommodores.com, has finished a new book on the program, “Vanderbilt Football: Tales of Commodore Gridiron History.”
The 157-page book features Traughber’s research on a number of significant moments in Vanderbilt football, from its humble beginnings in 1890 through the 1982 Hall of Fame Bowl squad.
Traughber has captured numerous writing awards from the Tennessee Sports Writers Association, including Writer of the Year in 2011. Congratulations Bill on the new edition.
All-Time vs. Big East Teams
The Commodores are 10-8-1 all-time against current members of the Big East Conference, and 1-2 vs. Big East foes in the last decade. The brief series between Vanderbilt and Connecticut is tied 1-1.
Four Players Notch First Career TDs
Four players scored their first touchdowns in a Vanderbilt uniform during the victory over Elon. Fitz Lassing (So., FB) scored on a 15-yard pass from Larry Smith (R-Sr., QB); Trey Wilson (Jr., DB) tallied on a 21-yard interception return; Chris Boyd (R-Fr., WR) scored on an 11-yard pass from Smith; and Wesley Tate (R-So., WR) on a 23-yard end sweep.
UConn: Coming off First BCS Bowl Appearance
On Saturday, the Commodores will face a Connecticut team that won its conference title last year and played in one of the elite BCS bowls.
In 2010, the Huskies were co-champs of the Big East Conference with an 8-4 regular season mark, eventually dropping a decision to Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl, played near Phoenix, Ariz. It marked the first BCS bowl appearance for the Huskies.
Former Maryland Coordinators Squad Off
Both coordinators from Maryland’s 2010 squad – Franklin and Don Brown – have key roles in the Vanderbilt-UConn game. While Franklin manages the Commodore sideline and contributes with the offensive playbook, Brown will oversee the Husky defensive response from his coordinator’s role.
Brown also worked with two other current Vanderbilt offensive coaches – coordinator John Donovan and special teams/tight ends coach Charles Bankins – while on the Maryland staff with Franklin.
Tough ‘Dore News from the Big Apple
Less than a week before starting his fourth season in the NFL, former Vanderbilt defensive standout Jonathan Goff suffered a season-ending knee injury after colliding with a New York Giants’ teammate in practice. The ’07 grad was penciled in as a second-year starter at middle linebacker for the Giants when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) Monday.
Last year, Goff put together an excellent year, posting 80 total tackles. He also was the team’s defensive signal caller, relaying plays from former Commodore defensive coach Perry Fewell. He is expected to make a full recovery and return next year.
Better NFL News from Boston
Four days after getting released by Minnesota, former Vanderbilt OT Thomas Welch (Class of 2009) signed on as a practice squad addition with the New England Patriots, the same team that drafted him in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft.