Nov. 17, 2011
Franklin Wednesday Interview | Gameday Central | Game Notes | Monday Musings
Significance of Six-Finger Display
The Commodores’ display of raising six fingers prior to kickoff of the Kentucky game had nothing to do with win totals – and everything to do with one of Coach James Franklin’s most stressed coaching fundamentals.
Every practice and every game, Franklin asks his squad to focus its attention and energy for six seconds at a time. Franklin’s intent is to get the teams’ best effort on each play, with the most important snap being the next.
As shown prior to kickoff last Saturday, the full Vanderbilt squad has bought into Franklin’s six-second message.
The 2011 Commodores: More Evidence of Improvement
Evidence of improvement in the 2011 Commodores is clear when comparing Vanderbilt results against Southeastern Conference teams.
Last year, Vanderbilt averaged just 12 points on offense in going 1-7 in SEC play. They also trailed by a substantial 263-96 margin in total points against SEC teams.
With only one SEC game remaining this year (at Tennessee Saturday), the Commodores trail by just 12 points in total scoring in the conference (160-148). The difference is just 1.8 points per game.
The Commodores are averaging 321.6 yards in total offense in SEC play, 94 yards more than a year ago. They are also allowing 353.1 yards of total offense to opponents, nearly 120 less yards per game than one year ago.
Initial Success under James Franklin
The Commodores have a chance to place James Franklin in rare company among first-year Vanderbilt head coaches.
Only one Vanderbilt coach – Fred Pancoast in 1975 – has topped the 5-win barrier in his first season with the Commodores in the last 100 years. Pancoast’s first squad went 7-4.
Franklin’s squad can get their sixth win this Saturday at Tennessee, with the season finale still remaining.
Franklin became the first new Commodore coach to reach five wins since Gerry DiNardo’s 1991 campaign. Only three others – Steve Sloan (1973), Bill Edwards (1949) and E.H. Alley (1943) – have reached five wins in their first year.
An Omen for Saturday
If you are among those searching for good omens, here’s one: the last Vanderbilt win in Knoxville came on Nov. 19 (2005). Of course, that’s the date this Saturday.
Want a more obscure nugget on Nov. 19? Though Tennessee and Vanderbilt have met on more than 100 previous occasions, with most coming at the end of the regular season, this marks just the second Nov. 19 date between the Commodores and Vols.
Do you see a Commodore in this Image?
Though the apparent scrum taken by photographer Stan Jones of Nashville looks harmless enough, it’s from one of the most remarkable plays of the win over Kentucky.
Seven different Wildcat defenders, including hurling leaping linebacker Alvin Dupree, appear to be tackling on one of their own. In fact, hidden in the crowd is Commodore running back Zac Stacy, who is in the midst of carrying the pile nearly 10 yards into the end zone for a Vanderbilt touchdown.
Here’s the play … Watch Video
It marked yet another superb performance from the Commodore junior, who ranks fourth in the SEC with 891 rushing yards. Stacy finished with 135 yards against the Wildcats, his fourth 100+ yard game of the season. The only modern era back from Vanderbilt to post to five games of 100+ rushing yards was Jermaine Johnson is 1995.
Stacy is within range of becoming Vanderbilt’s first 1,000-yard running back since Johnson reached 1,072 yards in 1995. Only two others – Corey Harris (1,103 yards, 1991) and Frank Mordica (1,065 yards, 1978) – have surpassed 1,000 yards in a season.
Stacy is also scoring touchdowns. Stacy’s nine rushing TDs this season has been bettered by just two Commodores in the last 50 years: Jamie O’Rourke (12, 1974) and Steve Burger (10, 1970).
Matthews Enjoying Success
Jordan Matthews’ 569 receiving yards is the most by a Commodore since Earl Bennett had 830 yards in 2005.
Most of Matthews’ production has come in the last month. The sophomore has 21 catches, 452 receiving yards and three TDs in his last three appearances. The three-game receiving yardage total is the most by a Commodore since Bennett amassed 561 yards late in the 2006 season against Duke, Florida and Kentucky.
Matthews ranks 11th in the nation with a 19.6-yard average per catch. He’s also among the team’s top ten sophomore receivers with 29 catches, and can surpass Marlon White (2004) and Boo Mitchell (1986) into eighth place with three more catches.
More Stat Milestones Within Reach
Stacy isn’t the only Commodore approaching statistical milestones:
– Casey Hayward needs two interceptions to tie Leonard Coleman’s career school record of 15 picks from 1980-1983.
– Chris Marve is 11 tackles shy of matching Shelton Quarles (388 tackles, 1990-93) for ninth on the all-time list.
– Jordan Rodgers needs nearly 100 yards to jump into ninth place in passing yards by a Commodore junior.
– Sean Richardson needs 10 tackles to join the team’s all-time top 25 tackles list.
– Brandon Barden needs 12 receptions to tie Allama Matthews for the most ever by a Commodore tight end.
Orange is Affecting Bennett’s Wallet
Wearing orange is lightening the wallet of former Commodore Earl Bennett.
The SEC’s career receptions leader introduced non-approved orange cleats to his Bears’ gameday look against the Eagles on Nov. 7. The NFL’s response was a $5,000 fine, which former Commodore QB Jay Cutler promised to pay.
Last Sunday, Bennett asked his teammates whether or not to stay with the orange cleats. Their collective decision to go with the cleats for another week resulted in a $10,000 fine, along with the added restriction that Bennett is to pay his own fines.
Watch Vanderbilt Football & Basketball on the Internet
For those conflicted with whether to watch the Commodore football or men’s basketball game on Saturday night, there’s an online solution.
Both the Vanderbilt-Tennessee football game and Vanderbilt-North Carolina State basketball game are available at espn3.com. The hoops squad tips 30 minutes before kickoff in Knoxville.
Vanderbilt Athletics radio flagship 97.1 Classic Hits will air the football game. Starting at 5:30 p.m., WWTN 99.7 FM will air basketball action from the Meadowlands in New Jersey.
(Photos courtesy of Stan Jones)