Sept. 7, 2016
Vanderbilt offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig wants to see plenty of progress this Saturday when the Commodores host Middle Tennessee on campus.
“I look for major improvement – in quarterback play, wide receiver play and offensive line play – from Week 1 to Week 2,” Ludwig said Wednesday after the team’s morning practice.”During the course of my career, you see the largest gains in performance in that week. Obviously, we are counting on that with this upcoming opponent.”
Despite 165 combined rushing yards by running backs Ralph Webb and Khari Blasingame, the offense was held to 10 points and under 100 passing yards by a talented South Carolina defense in the opener.
Ludwig said the offensive staff and players have turned the page to facing a Middle Tennessee defense that shut down Alabama A&M in the opener.
“All of our focus is on Middle Tennessee. They do a great job with their personnel and a great job with their zone pressure schemes. We have to play our best in this coming game. That’s our entire focus right now,” Ludwig said.
Webb rushed for 97 yards on 20 carries against South Carolina, moving into fifth place on the team’s all-time charts with 2,156 yards. Blasingame, a linebacker last year, had a solid performance in his first appearance in the Commodore backfield, rushing for 68 yards and a 1-yard touchdown plunge on 15 carries.
Marine Week Helicopter Flyover prior to MTSU game
A flyover featuring four U.S. Marine helicopters is scheduled 10 minutes prior to the 3 p.m. kickoff of the Middle Tennessee game. The flyover will include MV-22 Osprey, CH-53E Super Stallion, AH-1W Super Cobra and UH-1Y Venom helicopters.
The Armed Forces pregame celebration will include Marine Capt. Skye Martin performing the national anthem.