Oct. 14, 2011
Game Notes & Depth Charts | Gameday Central
Trying to Stretch Home Win Streak
It’s been many years since Vanderbilt last captured four straight home victories, which the Commodores are seeking Saturday when they face the favored Georgia Bulldogs.
The Commodores’ last four-game win streak in Vanderbilt Stadium spanned Gerry Dinardo teams in 1991-1992. The ’91 squad ended its home campaign with wins over Georgia and Kentucky; the ’92 unit opened with triumphs over Duke and Ole Miss.
The last four-game home win streak in a single season came during the 1982 Hall of Fame Bowl campaign when George MacIntyre’s squad won all six games played in Vanderbilt Stadium. The only other Commodore teams since World War II to notch an unbeaten home slate were the 1974 (5-0-1) and 1955 (5-0) squads.
Stacy Facing Close Friend Saturday
In high school, Zac Stacy (Jr., RB) ran for more than 5,800 yards in Bibb County High School in central Alabama. Many of those yards came through holes opened by Ben Jones, a senior at Georgia, regarded as one of the Southeastern Conference’s top centers.
The two remain extremely close. “He’s one of my best friends,” Stacy said during a post-practice interview Wednesday. “I talked to him earlier this week and we wished each other luck.”
They met on the baseball diamond when Stacy was entering elementary school. “Baseball is big where we’re from and we grew up playing on the same team. He played first base and I was at second base.”
Fugger Getting Attention
The superb early-season performance by Tim Fugger (R-Sr., DE) hasn’t gone unnoticed. Fugger was the lone Commodore to garner 1st Team Midseason All-SEC honors by Phil Steele’s College Football Preview.
On Thursday, the well-respected college football annual and website named Fugger as one of the league’s top four defensive linemen, along with Melvin Ingram of South Carolina, Sam Montgomery of LSU and Corey Lemonier of Auburn.
Fugger ranks third in the conference with seven tackles for loss and fifth in the league with three quarterback sacks. With 17 total tackles through five games, Fugger is just five stops shy of matching his single-season career high.
Two other Commodore defensive standouts, Chris Marve (R-Sr., LB) and Casey Hayward (Sr., CB) were named to Phil Steele’s 2nd Team Midseason All-SEC team.
A Trend to Continue
The Commodores are doing a better job of starting strong this season. Through five games, James Franklin’s 2011 squad is outscoring opponents 59-38 in the first half. Last year, the Commodores were outscored by a wide margin (201-118) before intermission. The Vanderbilt defense has allowed just 10 total points in the first quarter.
The Commodores have struggled in the third quarter, getting outscored by a 37-12 margin.
Vanderbilt Outrushing Opponents
The Commodores have produced more rushing yards than their opponents through five games (576-541).
The yardage advantage has come despite the fact that opponents have 39 more rush attempts than the Commodores. The Vanderbilt defense is yielding just 2.9 yards per rush attempt.
This Saturday, the Vanderbilt defense will also face its third consecutive standout running back in Georgia freshman Isaiah Crowell, currently the SEC’s No. 4 rusher (95.5 ypg). The Commodores held Marcus Lattimore of South Carolina and Trent Richardson of Alabama below their season averages in recent weeks.
Potential Keys to Vanderbilt Victories
If you’re seeking positive trends on the heels of defeats to nationally ranked South Carolina and Alabama, we’re here for you. The Commodores are undefeated this season when:
- The Vanderbilt defense scores (and 0-2 when it doesn’t).
- The Commodores produce more rushing yards than opponents.
- The Commodores score 20 points or more.
- The Commodores enter intermission with a lead and owns an advantage in time of possession.
Lots of Peach State Players on Vandy Roster
More Commodores on the current roster hail from Georgia than any other state. Nineteen Commodores, including eight potential starters Saturday, are natives of the Peach State.
Approaching Milestones
Several Vanderbilt players are approaching milestones, including:
- Chris Marve (R-Sr., LB): four total tackles shy of 450 for his career; next tackle for loss will be 25th of career.
- Brandon Barden (R-Sr., TE): four catches shy of 100 career receptions.
- Larry Smith (R-Sr., QB): four completions shy of 300 for his career; 17 rushing yards shy of 500 for career.
- Tim Fugger (R-Sr., DE) and Kenny Ladler (So., safety: Both are one tackle shy of 75 for their careers.
- Archibald Barnes (R-Jr., LB): four total tackles shy of 50.