Sept. 19, 2017
By Zac Ellis
VUCommodores.com
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt returns home Saturday for its third straight home game of 2017, welcoming No. 1 Alabama to Vanderbilt Stadium for a 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff on CBS.
On Tuesday, Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason previewed the game against the Crimson Tide. He was joined by linebacker Oren Burks, quarterback Kyle Shurmur and safety LaDarius Wiley.
Here’s what the Dores had to say:
• Mason said the Commodores are not blinded by Alabama’s No. 1 ranking. “Our football team is handling this the way we should. Alabama is a good team, but our team is practicing the way we always practice. That’s good to see.”
• Mason said Alabama has “dudes all over the place” on defense, particularly in the Crimson Tide’s defensive front. Mason is close friends with Alabama defensive line coach Karl Dunbar, his former coworker with the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings. “We coached together at Minnesota some years ago. I know he’s done a great job with that front four. They’re gonna be a stout group.”
• Mason said Alabama finds unique ways to score, on defense and special teams. “When you watch Alabama play football, they’re probably the most opportunistic team in the country.”
• Mason said a nationally televised game against a top-ranked opponent is the kind of matchup he relishes at Vanderbilt. “I’ve said it before, we’re going to play good teams in this conference, but we don’t fear anybody in this conference.”
• Does Mason enjoy game-planning for a team as good as Alabama? “It’s actually fun. For me, I like the chess match. I like getting in there and looking at the film and getting into the lab.”
• Burks said Vanderbilt’s defense, which ranks first in FBS in total defense, is out to make a statement against the Crimson Tide. “We want to prove to be the best defense on the field this Saturday.”
• Shurmur entered 2017 without a single rushing touchdown in his career. Now, he has two through three games. Asked if he is now a dual-threat quarterback, Shurmur smiled. “I’m tired of hearing that.”
• Wiley said it’s been business as usual during Vanderbilt’s practices this week. “I feel like we’re preparing like it’s just another week. This is the best game this week because it’s the only game this week.”
Zac Ellis is the Writer and Digital Media Editor for Vanderbilt Athletics.