Oct. 5, 2012
Commodore Greats with Missouri Ties
Two of the top tacklers and most fierce defenders in modern Commodore football history, nose tackle Tom Galbierz and linebacker Gerald Collins, are among the most recognized Vanderbilt players who came to Nashville after growing up in Missouri.
Galbierz was an undersized, yet highly productive interior tackle in the mid-1970s. Playing for head coaches Steve Sloan and Fred Pancoast, Galbierz amassed 413 total tackles. That total ranks 7th all-time on team charts. Galbierz, from Affton H.S. in St. Louis, helped Sloan’s 1974 squad to the Peach Bowl in Atlanta. He also was a team captain in 1975.
Collins was a two-time captain and All-SEC recipient in the mid-1990s, playing in an era of tremendous Commodore linebackers that included future NFL stars Shelton Quarles and Jamie Duncan. Collins, who ranks 12th all-time among Vanderbilt players with 357 total tackles, graduated from Roosevelt H.S. in St. Louis.
Other former Commodore standouts and Missouri natives are 1956 captain Art Demmas and placekicker Rob Chura. Demmas, a valuable lineman on the Commodores’ 1955 Gator Bowl squad, eventually served nearly three decades as one of the NFL’s top on-field officials. Chura’s 51-yard field goal in 1992 still ranks among the longest field goals in team history.
The current roster does not include a Missouri resident. The last Show Me State native to contribute for the Commodores was offensive lineman and 2011 graduate Caleb Welchans (Lafayette H.S., Wildwood).
Key Stat Lines for Success Saturday
Success in two key statistical areas – turnovers and third-down conversions – will go a long way toward determining team success for the Commodores in Columbia.
The Commodores are definitely due for some takeaways. The squad does not enjoy an advantage in turnover margin this year despite losing just three fumbles and an interception in its 1-3 start. In 2011, early-season turnovers looked totally different, with the Commodores owning a +7 advantage after four games.
The `Dores also will look to improve on third-down efficiency. This season, the offense has converted 23 percent of its third down attempts. In 2011, the Commodores made 34 percent of third down conversions.
Seeking First Road Win of the Year
The Commodores are in search of their first road victory of the season when they take on Mizzou Saturday. Vanderbilt is 0-2 on the road, with losses at Northwestern and Georgia.
The Commodores concluded the 2011 regular season with a resounding 41-7 win over Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Vandy, Mizzou QB Alums Face Off Sunday in NFL
One day after the Commodores and Tigers play, former standout quarterbacks from both teams will square off in the NFL.
Vandy QB Jay Cutler (2002-05) will start for Chicago when the Bears travel to Jacksonville, Fla., to face the Jaguars, led by former Mizzou QB Blaine Gabbert.
Gabbert was the No. 10 overall pick of the 2011 NFL Draft. Cutler was selected as the No. 11 overall pick in 2006.
Faurot Field Far Different from Last Commodore Visit
Faurot Field, home to the Mizzou Tigers, looks nothing like the stadium when Vanderbilt last visited Columbia.
Faurot Field now accommodates 71,004 spectators in its natural bowl setting. When Vanderbilt notched a 12-8 win to open the 1958 season, Faurot Field had less than 10,000 permanent seats and a capacity of about 25,000.
Fall in the Air at Mizzou
The Commodores and Tigers will play in fall-like conditions Saturday night. By intermission of the game, temperatures at Faurot Field are expected to drop into the low 40s.
Commodores Approaching Career Milestones
Zac Stacy (Sr, RB), Rob Lohr (R-Sr., DT) and Wesley Johnson (R-Jr., OL) are among Commodore players nearly career milestones this Saturday.
- Stacy is expected to earn his 25th career start in the offensive backfield Saturday. He is 148 yards shy of passing Carl Woods (1983-86) into second place all-time on the team’s rushing list. Stacy’s next rushing TD will tie him with Charley Horton (1952-55) for No. 3 on the all-time list.
- Lohr and Johnson are expected to be in the starting lineup for the 30th consecutive game Saturday. They top all Commodores in consecutive starts. Lohr needs two tackles to register 100 for his career. He also needs one quarterback sack to reach double digits for his career.
- Kenny Ladler (R-Jr., safety) needs three solo tackles to reach 100 for his career.
- Jordan Rodgers (R-Sr., QB) posted his 150th career completion vs. Georgia. He would surpass 300 career passes with his fifth attempt Saturday.
- Chris Boyd (R-So., WR) needs four catches to reach 50 for his career. He would join three other Commodore receivers with at least 50 career catches: Jordan Matthews (82), John Cole (65) and Jonathan Krause (50).
- Karl Butler (Jr., LB), Trey Wilson (Sr., CB) and Andre Hal (Jr., CB) are all within five tackles for 50 for their careers.
