Nov. 3, 2011
Franklin Wednesday Interview | Gameday Central | 
Game Notes & Depth Charts
Four Vandy Losses to Four Ranked Opponents
All four of Vanderbilt’s losses have come to teams ranked in the latest BCS Top 25 poll: No. 2 Alabama, No. 7 Arkansas, No. 9 South Carolina and No. 18 Georgia.
If the Commodores pick up a blocked punt against Georgia and finish off an impressive fourth quarter drive against the Razorbacks, they’re 6-0 at home and ranked in the BCS poll for the first time ever.
Point-Producing Offense
A quick look at season stats reveals solid improvement in the Vanderbilt offense. In four games left on the schedule, the Commodores are just one point shy of matching the entire 2010 total (202 points). The unit also surpassed the 2009 total (196 points) in the Arkansas game.
Vanderbilt’s 25.2-point scoring average is slightly behind 27.0-point average from the Jay Cutler-led 2005 squad, which ranks as the program’s most productive scoring offense of the last six decades.
Florida Trivia
Can you name the Vanderbilt player that put up this stat line against the Gators: 9 tackles, 8 assists, 17 total tackles, 2 quarterback sacks, a forced fumble and 31-yard fumble return for TD? The answer is shown at end of column.
Cutler, Rodgers in Attendance vs. Arkansas
Two of the NFL’s top quarterbacks – Chicago’s Cutler and Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers – were in attendance last Saturday for the Vanderbilt-Arkansas game. Vandy alum Cutler, in town to host a charity event for his foundation last Thursday, watched from the sidelines. Rodgers watched with relatives from the stands as younger brother Jordan Rodgers tried to guide the Commodores to victory.
Best Quote of the Week
“Ryan (Fowler) and I support each other 100 percent on and off the field. We’re brothers. So whatever coach’s decision is, I’m going to support Ryan and Ryan’s going to support me.”
That comes from placekicker Carey Spear, who talked to Nashville sportswriters Wednesday night about a missed field goal that would have tied the Arkansas game in the waning seconds. It gives some insight into reasons why Commodore teammates voted the true sophomore as special teams captain.
Stacy: 8th among NCAA’s Top 100 Rushers in Yards Per Carry
It’s been 14 years since a Commodore back has topped 100 rushing yards in three consecutive games. Junior Zac Stacy, currently the SEC’s No. 4 rusher with 707 yards, has an opportunity to match the feat Saturday.
Stacy’s stellar 7.3 yards per carry also ranks eighth among the NCAA’s top 100 rushers. It’s a full yard more than any yearly Vanderbilt rushing leader since World War II.
Vanderbilt Defense Has Been Stout Against the Rush
The Vanderbilt defense has withstood some of the nation’s best running attacks, and is on pace to post one of the program’s top averages against the rush. The ‘Dores’ rushing defense (125.0 yards) ranks fourth in the SEC. It would be the team’s lowest rush total since Woody Widenhofer’s 1997 squad held opponents to just 106.3 rushing yards.
Matthews Breakout Performance
The breakout performance by sophomore Jordan Matthews against Arkansas (6 catches, 151 yards) represents the most receiving yards against any SEC team this season. It also ranks as the fifth highest receiving yardage performance by an SEC player this year. The output was the highest receiving total by a Commodore since Earl Bennett set the school record (223 yards) against Richmond on Sept. 1, 2007.
Best ‘Dore Effort in the Swamp
What ranks as the best Commodore performance in the Swamp? Could be Cutler’s 2005 effort in front of a primetime national television audience: 28-of-42 for 361 yards and four TDs. Do you recall the bizarre incident late in the game that many Vanderbilt fans will never forget?
Fugger, Lohr Having All-SEC Caliber Seasons
Two Commodores who play along the defensive front, senior Tim Fugger and fourth-year junior Rob Lohr, are quietly putting together All-SEC caliber seasons.
Fugger, a longtime resident of Jacksonville, Fla., who graduated from high school near Chicago, ranks third in the SEC with 11 tackles for loss, with Lohr just behind in fourth (10.5). Both players top their respective positions in the conference. Fugger also is tied for fourth in the league with five quarterback sacks, with Lohr tied for sixth (4.5).
Three Straight 200-Yard Rushing Games
The Commodores have posted 200 or more rushing yards in three straight games for the first time in nearly two decades. The last time Vanderbilt accomplished the feat came nearly 20 years ago, when the `Dores rushed for 244 yards, 248 yards and 301 yards against Wake Forest, Georgia and South Carolina, respectively, in the 1992 season.
Answering ‘Dore Trivia
Jamie Duncan turned in the defensive performance during a 28-21 home loss to the No. 1 Gators. The effort sealed SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors for the linebacker.