NASHVILLE, Tenn. — After a much-needed and long-overdue off weekend, Vanderbilt is preparing to take the field Saturday to start the final stretch of the regular season.
Just three more games close out the 2021 campaign, the first for head coach Clark Lea. Vandy hosts Kentucky for its home finale Saturday before taking road trips to Mississippi and Tennessee, respectively.
“I thought practice (Monday) was spirited and it looked like a fresh team, an energized team,” Lea said Tuesday. “So hopefully the time off gives us a chance to launch here at the finish of the season. We’re battling what every team is battling and that’s the accumulation of the grind and it’s a physical grind, a mental grind. But I’m excited to watch this team through to the finish.”
Having dropped four games in a row, Vandy (2-7, 0-5 SEC) used the off week to polish some of its fundamentals and to ramp up recovery efforts. Lea said that quarterback Ken Seals, running back Rocko Griffin and linebacker De’Rickey Wright (non-injury) could be among the key Commodores able to return to action Saturday against the Wildcats (6-3, 4-3 SEC).
A healthier roster should help the Dores’ chances Saturday and for the remainder of the season as they look to close out the campaign with some positive momentum.
“We’ve been through a lot the first nine games, have learned a lot,” Lea said. “I think every team this time of year is dealing with that late-season grind. So both physically to refresh, mentally to refresh and to come back in the final three games here, not to just get through them, but to attack, to continue to build this program through the end of the season is important.
“We want to continue to look for opportunities to develop the depth on our roster and the youth on our roster. We want to take advantage of all the opportunities we have as Team 1 to continue to compete and to grow on the field.”
Kentucky started the season 6-0 and had SEC title – and maybe even College Football Playoff – dreams seeping into its consciousness. But a loss at No. 1 Georgia on Oct. 16 was followed by a defeat at Mississippi State and a heartbreaking loss to Tennessee at home Saturday.
The Wildcats are still in second in the SEC East, but will be looking to avoid a four-game losing streak for the first time since 2015. Head coach Mark Stoops will be bringing a team to Nashville that ranks fifth nationally in third-down conversions and 25th in rushing defense.
Quarterback Will Levis is completing nearly 66 percent of his passes and has also rushed for 231 yards for the Wildcats.
“They have an efficient offense on early downs, sets up convertible third downs and (Levis) has been really effective in getting completions and moving the chains. He’s a good player that is making it go for them and has some really good tools around him that have been helpful in that effort.
“He’s made a big impact for them and will continue to and will present challenges to us this weekend.”
Vanderbilt and Kentucky have met 93 times since 1896 with the Wildcats winning the previous five meetings dating to 2015.
• Saturday’s contest is a blackout in which Vanderbilt has asked its fans to wear all black. The Commodores will don black helmets, black jerseys and black pants.
• Vanderbilt will recognize 30 seniors prior to Saturday’s game.
• During his playing career, Lea went 1-2 against Kentucky and was part of a 28-17 win at Vanderbilt Stadium in 2003.
• Vandy safety Dashaun Jerkins is tied for third nationally with three interceptions.
• Vanderbilt punter Harrison Smith ranks 40th nationally with 43.2 yards per punt.
• The Commodores are the only team in the SEC to have at least four players with multiple interceptions.
• Vandy and Kentucky have met annually since 1953.
— Chad Bishop covers Vanderbilt for VUCommodores.com.
Follow him @MrChadBishop.