Oct. 27, 2011
Franklin Wednesday Interview | Gameday Central | 
Monday Musings | Game Notes
At 4-3, Vanderbilt’s Record Is Among Best in Recent Years
The current Commodore squad is just the seventh Vanderbilt team in the last three decades to boast a record above .500 after seven games.
Of those seven teams, only one had a better record than James Franklin’s first edition. The 2008 squad was 5-2 en route to an eventual 6-6 regular season and Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl victory.
This Saturday, Franklin’s squad also goes for its fifth home victory. The last Commodore squad to post five victories in Vanderbilt Stadium was George MacIntyre’s 1982 team that went 6-0 getting to the Hall of Fame Bowl.
Stacy Shooting Up Rushing Charts
After entering the season expecting to compete for the Commodores’ starting tailback chores, junior Zac Stacy now ranks among the Southeastern Conference’s top rushers.
Stacy, who swapped starting duties with Warren Norman for the last two years, is the SEC’s sixth leading rusher with 579 yards. Stacy’s average per carry (7.4) is more impressive, ranking second in the league to Alabama’s Eddie Lacy (8.0).
Stacy has produced two of Vanderbilt’s top 12 single-game rushing performances in the last five weeks. His 198-yard total against Army last Saturday is the third highest total by a `Dore back. His 169-yard effort in a win over Ole Miss on Sept. 17 equals the team’s No. 12 all-time effort.
Stacy, currently No. 20 all-time among Vanderbilt career rushers, will surpass five more former Commodores with another 100-yard performance.
Statistics Show Vanderbilt’s Overall Improvement
Statistics share the same story as the Commodores’ current 4-3 mark: the 2011 team is improved over the ’10 squad.
In a comparison of the 2010 and 2011 teams through seven games, Franklin’s offense is averaging more points (24.9-18.9), more rushing yards (159.9-146.3) and more first downs (14.7-13.6) than in 2010. The defense is giving up fewer points (21.6-24.9), total yards (323.9-393.9) and first downs (17.4-19.6).
The 2011 offense has also produced 30 rushing plays of 12 yards or more, a dozen more than last year.
The Commodores are improved across-the-board in rushing categories, averaging more yards per attempt (4.7-4.3) while allowing less yards per carry (3.4-4.1).
The defense also has more takeaways (20-10), including nine more interceptions (15-6).
More Improvement On Offensive Line
The revamped offensive front is showing positive results. The unit, retooled three weeks ago, helped produce 530 total yards and 344 rushing yards against Army. One week earlier, the ‘Dores had 19 first downs and 349 yards vs. Georgia, one of the nation’s top-ranked defenses.
Also, the unit has given up just one sack in the last three games (Alabama, Georgia, Army). It’s been five years since a Vanderbilt line last allowed a single sack in a three-game stretch.
After a loss at South Carolina, the staff shifted starters Wesley Johnson (R-So.) and Ryan Seymour (R-Jr.) to new positions and inserted Logan Stewart (So.) into the starting unit. Johnson moved from center to LT, Seymour moved inside from LT to LG, and Stewart became the primary center.
Doyle Lawson, Quicksilver Performing Anthem
The national anthem Saturday might sound straight out of the Appalachians as bluegrass legend Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver are on tap to sing before the Arkansas game.
Lawson has been pleasing bluegrass enthusiasts for more than a half century, and performed with several variations of the Quicksilver band since the late 1970s. A native of Sullivan County, Tenn., he has captured a bundle of International Bluegrass Music Association awards, including vocalist of the year and group of the year, and is a 2006 National Heritage Fellowship recipient from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Commodore Announcer Joe Fisher Busy Tonight
Joe Fisher, the esteemed play-by-play announcer for Commodore football, has a full plate tonight.
Starting at 6 p.m., Fisher will guide the first 30 minutes of Coach Franklin’s Call-In Show at the Commodore Bar & Grille, then handoff those duties to pregame co-host Mitch Light and depart for Murfreesboro where he’ll serve as master of ceremonies for Project 14 that benefits former Commodore hurler David Price’s foundation.
The Murfreesboro event features photos with Price, silent and live auction, dinner, and a question & answer session with a panel that includes Price, Commodore baseball coach Tim Corbin, and former Vanderbilt All-Americans Sonny Gray and Pedro Alvarez.
Price’s event will be held at the Boys and Girls Club in Murfreesboro. For info on tickets, email bonnie@project14.com.
By the way, the one-hour Call-In Show is free, and serves as a great way to say hello to Coach Franklin. You might just win a prize from the coach if you’re in attendance.
Another Benefit Tonight With Vanderbilt Ties: Cutler’s Party
Price’s event is one of two in the Nashville area benefiting a former Vanderbilt student-athlete’s foundation. The Fourth Annual Block and White Party, with proceeds benefiting the Jay Cutler Foundation that supports children with diabetes, starts at 8:30 p.m. in a private venue in the Gulch behind Virago, 1126 McGavock Street.
A few tickets remain ($40 ea., 21 years of age and over) but purchases must be made before 4 pm., CT. For info, contact theblockagency@yahoo.com.
Pregame Family Activity: Commodore Costume Contest & Fall Festival
With Halloween just days away, Vanderbilt Athletics is hosting its first Fall Festival & Costume Contest before the game in the expanded Kids Zone on the Rob Roy Purdy Field located at the corner of Natchez Trace and Children’s Way.
The free activity starts at 8:20 a.m. Kids up to 13 years of age with a ticket to the game can enter the competition for best costume. Prizes will be awarded – and names will be announced during the game.
The marketing staff is expanding the Kids Zone for the festival. Eight inflatables, music, booths and more will be included in the family activity.
