Aug. 15, 2015
On campus in Nashville — After pushing the Commodores through a lengthy scrimmage Saturday morning, Head Coach Derek Mason said he witnessed plenty of positives and areas that still need attention.
“Defensively, we came out and established ourselves early. Offensively, we started slow, but then I saw the offense start to take more control,” Mason said. “Overall, we ran to the ball and we tackled well when we had the opportunity. Good day, but it’s just another work day. It also showed us some things we need work on.”
The scrimmage consisted of 96 plays staged in the indoor practice facility after thunderstorms forced Mason to change his original plan of holding the practice in Vanderbilt Stadium. It was closed to media outlets.
Mason said sophomore quarterbacks Johnny McCrary and Wade Freebeck, competing for the team’s starting job, continued to show progress under the guidance of first-year offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig.
“Johnny (McCrary) did some good things in the red zone and led some great drives, and Wade (Freebeck) made some nice throws and managed the offense pretty well,” Mason said.
The practice ended with the team’s freshmen and sophomores trying to impress coaches during a live 11-on-11 workout.
Neuheisel watches practice, addresses team
Rick Neuheisel, a former head coach at three Pac-12 conference schools who now hosts a SiriusXM national radio show, briefly spoke to the squad after the scrimmage. He urged Commodore players to make every practice count.
“Even at my age, I miss it and would give anything to be in your shoes. I just encourage you to keep working hard and make the most out of every opportunity you get because this doesn’t last forever,” he said.
The owner of a 87-59 overall record during head coaching tenures at Colorado, Washington and UCLA, Neuheisel will join CBS’s “College Football Today” program this fall. The show airs prior to the “SEC on CBS” Game of the Week.
Newest uniform to be unveiled at Dore Jam Sunday
Even Commodore players are eager to attend Dore Jam, scheduled Sunday afternoon in the indoor practice facility. Like Commodore fans, they want to see the much-discussed alternative uniform that will be unveiled at the event.
All fans attending Dore Jam, the program’s annual fan day activity, can see the team’s fourth uniform design at 2:45 p.m., Doors open at 2 p.m., with new posters distributed to all attendees.
The event also includes student-athlete and coach autographs, interaction with athletes from other Commodore teams, kids activities, and food and beverages while supplies last.
Free parking for the two-hour event is available in surface lots 73-75 across Natchez Trace from the Vanderbilt Track & Field Complex.