By Zac Ellis
VUCommodores.com
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt returns to action this Saturday when it travels to Gainesville to face No. 21 Florida in The Swamp.
On Tuesday, Commodores head coach Derek Mason previewed the matchup. He was joined by offensive lineman Bruno Reagan, receiver Trent Sherfield and safety LaDarius Wiley.
Here’s what the Dores had to say:
• Mason said Vanderbilt has moved past last week’s loss to Alabama. “These guys have done a good job of looking at it and figuring out what we did wrong… In looking at our practices over the last couple of days, these guys have done exactly what we needed them to do.”
• What have the Dores done to bounce back? Mason: “Monday, we went out in full pads, which we hadn’t done all year. It was good.”
• Mason praised Florida quarterback Luke Del Rio, who is slated to start on Saturday. “When you look at him, he’s probably their most equipped quarterback… Those guys believe in him. Anytime you have a leader who you believe in, you’re going to play well.”
• Florida is 2-0 in SEC play by virtue of a pair of last-second victories over Tennessee and Kentucky. Mason said these Gators don’t give up. “They’re resilient. You’ve got to tip your hat to Coach McElwain.”
• Mason on Florida’s defense: “They continue to be who they’ve been, which is pretty dominant in the pass game. They’re doing a better job against the run. They’re stout, they’re fast, they run to the football, they hit.”
• Mason stared into the cameras and challenged his offensive line to step up. “My O-line, if you’re watching, take the challenge. It’s been soft, we’ve got to get better, so let’s ride.”
• Mason’s message to quarterback Kyle Shurmur following the Alabama game: Get back to work. “That dude was the first dude in the building on Sunday. He understands how we need to play. I thought he threw the ball well early, but as things go along, he can’t be the only guy trying to make a play.”
• How often is Mason challenging the offensive line? Reagan: “About every second of every day… We need five guys with an absolute attitude to go out there and run the football, no matter what.”
• Wiley said the Commodores can learn plenty from their first loss of the season. “There’s a lesson in everything. You take the lumps, and that’s all the part of growing as a player. You never want to shy away from film. You can always learn something from that.”
Zac Ellis is the Writer and Digital Media Editor for Vanderbilt Athletics.