March 24, 2017
Nashville – The Commodores put in their final preparations for the Spring Showcase with a 90-minute workout Friday morning at the John Rich Practice Complex.
Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason said the team was ready for the Showcase after the practice which focused on conditioning, individual techniques, passing and team drills, and assorted special teams.
“We’re going to put the ball on the ground and play some real football,” Mason said. “I want our fans to come out to see how we practice and how their team is improving. I’m looking forward to the guys putting on a show.”
Due to potential inclement weather over Middle Tennessee Saturday, all Showcase activities are being pushing up 30 minutes. Gate 2 at Vanderbilt Stadium will open at 8:30 a.m. with several kids activities outside the main gate scheduled to start at the same time. Two popular Nashville food trucks – Juicery + Rustic Kitchen and Music City Brisket – will be located on Jess Neely Drive offering their favorite menu items until 12:30 p.m. Fans will receive complimentary 2017 schedule posters and Showcase roster cards on the stadium concourse inside Gate 2.
The Commodores’ practice will now start at 9:30 a.m., with a series of warm-up position drills. The Showcase scrimmage, which will include both full and limited contact drives, will start at 10 a.m.
After the scrimmage, young Commodore fans can enter the playing surface and participate in the closing team stretch, then get autographs from their favorite Vanderbilt players.
Young Commodores to get repetitions Saturday
While the most experienced Commodores will participate Saturday, Mason wants fans to come away from the event impressed by talented freshmen and sophomores on the squad.
“This will be a great chance for fans to see some of our young guys in action. These guys have made strong cases for more playing time with their performance this spring,” Mason said.
Some of the young offensive standouts through nearly three weeks of Spring Ball have been Jamauri Wakefield (R-Fr., RB), Deuce Wallace (R-Fr., QB), Donaven Tennyson (So., WR), Jackson Winrow (R-Fr., WR), Turner Cockrell (R-Fr., TE), Devin Cochran (R-Fr., OL), Braden Kopp (R-Fr., OL) and Sean Auwae-McMoore (R-Fr., center).
Drew Birchmeier (R-Fr., DL), Tae Daley (Fr., DB), Elijah Hamilton (R-Fr., CB), Kenny Hebert (R-Fr., OLB), Zaire Jones (R-Fr., safety), Dimitri Moore (Fr., ILB), Austin Quillen (R-Fr., safety), Josiah Sa’o (R-Fr., DL), Cameron Tidd (R-Fr., DL) and Joejuan Williams (So., CB) are young defenders who have impressed this spring.
Season ticket deadline
Saturday also marks the final day for 2016 Commodore season ticket holders to secure their seats for the upcoming season.
The Commodores host seven games on campus this season, including Southeastern Conference encounters with Alabama (Sept. 23), Georgia (Oct. 7), Kentucky (Nov. 11) and Missouri (Nov. 18). The three non-conference home opponents are Alabama A&M (Sept. 9), Kansas State (Sept. 16) and Western Kentucky (Nov. 4).
Season ticket packages start as low as $148 for a limited general admission seat on the north end zone berm. Reserved seats range from $178 (south end zone sections) to $308 (premium sideline sections).
You can order tickets online, by phone at 615-322-GOLD, or in person at the McGugin Center Ticket Office, located on campus at 2601 Jess Neely Drive.