Sept. 2, 2011
Gameday Central | Game Notes & Depth Charts
Be There Tailgating for ‘Dore Alley – 4:05 p.m.
Two hours and 20 minutes before kickoff, James Franklin’s Commodores will start a new tradition by walking the length of Vandyville as they enter the team locker room. The walk – ‘Dore Alley – will start at the intersection of Children’s Way and Natchez Trace, and continue down Natchez to the John Rich Practice Facility.
The route goes directly through Vandyville, the most popular game day tailgating venue on campus.
Vandyville is also expanding with several new attractions and activities, including a new and bigger Kids Area, and a live music stage directly opposite the giant big-screen that airs other college football games near Natchez and Jess Neely Drive. Vanderbilt’s pre-game radio broadcast is expanding into Vandyville, too. The show sponsored by Chick-fil-A of Rivergate goes to 90 minutes before kick, with co-hosts Kevin Ingram, Mitch Light and Joe Fisher broadcasts from a central Vandyville tent.
Can Matthews Keep TD Streak Alive
Sophomore receiver Jordan Matthews is looking to catch a touchdown pass for the fifth consecutive game. The last Commodore player to post touchdowns in five straight games was running back Cassen Jackson-Garrison in 2005.
First-Time Commodore Starters
At least three Commodores – Mylon Brown (R-So., OL), Tristan Strong (R-Jr., OLB) and Chase Garnham (So., OLB) – are expected to make their first career start against Elon.
A year ago, few keen observers of the Commodore program would be predicting a starting role this soon for Brown, who enters the opener off an excellent preseason camp. Brown played limited snaps in just six games as a redshirt freshman in 2010. Garnham impressed Commodore coaches, players and staff with his August performance and appears likely to be on the field in virtually every defensive alignment this fall. Nearly two years after a severe leg injury, Strong is back to full health and is playing with confidence for new linebacker coach Brent Pry.
Rare Opportunity in 2011 for Eight Commodores
Eight Commodores enter the season looking to achieve something no other Vanderbilt letterwinner can claim: looking to become the team’s first players to make multiple postseason bowl appearances.
The current players – Tim Fugger (DE), T.J. Greenstone (DT), Casey Hayward (DB), Josh Jelesky (DE), Chris Marve (LB), Sean Richardson (safety), Larry Smith (QB) and Udom Umoh (WR) – played in the 2008 Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl, a 16-14 victory over Boston College.
Several of the current ‘Dores played pivotal roles in the postseason win. It marked the first career start for Smith at quarterback. Marve also started and finished with a team-high 10 tackles. Richardson made one of the biggest plays of the game, recovering a fumbled punt for a touchdown. Hayward played much of the game in place of an injured D.J. Moore. Umoh posted the first three catches of his career.
Franklin One of 12 First-Time Head Coaches in NCAA FBS
On Saturday, James Franklin will be one of 12 FBS coaches across the nation directing their first game ever as a head coach. He holds the distinction with one other SEC coach (Will Muschamp of Florida). Across the field from Franklin, Elon’s Jason Swepson will also guide his first game as a head coach.
If the Commodores prevail Saturday, Franklin will become the first new Vanderbilt coach to win his initial game since Woody Widenhofer accomplished the feat in 1998.
Closing in the History Books
Several veteran Commodores are making their way up the team’s all-time record charts. Chris Marve (R-Sr., LB) is 13th all-time with 306 total tackles, and needs just two stops to pass the player he replaced in 2008 (Jonathan Goff)… Larry Smith (R-Sr., QB) needs less than 250 passing yards to join the team’s all-time Top Ten… Brandon Barden (R-Sr., TE) ranks second all-time among tight ends for receptions. He needs must nine catches to reach 100 for his career and nine receiving yards to reach the 1,000-yard barrier… Casey Hayward (Sr., CB) also is just one interception short of joining the career Top Ten list.
Get in the Stadium Early
As Coach Franklin frequently urges, “Come Early and Stay Late.”
That’s particularly excellent advice this Saturday. Pregame for the opener is always entertaining due to the Freshman Run, where all 1,600-plus Vanderbilt first-year students run the length of Dudley Field as they make their way into the student section.
This year, with Coach Franklin new to the program, there’s also some additions to the Commodore pre-game routine. But, the football SID is on strict orders to keep quiet.
Vanderbilt vs. the SoCon
As a member of the SEC, Vanderbilt is 25-3 all-time vs. teams from the Southern Conference, one of the most powerful FCS leagues in the nation. Elon is one of 12 schools in the SoCon.
In its last four games vs. SoCon teams – Western Carolina (2009), Chattanooga (2003), Furman (2002) and The Citadel (1999), Vanderbilt has won by an average margin of 44.8 points, with a cumulative score of 203-24.
Interestingly, Vanderbilt was a member of the Southern Conference when it helped form the Southeastern Conference in 1933. The Commodores were a dominant team in the SoCon under legendary head coach Dan McGugin, winning or sharing three league titles from 1922-1932.
Matchup to Watch
When the Commodores are on defense, keep your eye on the outside where cornerback Casey Hayward, an All-America candidate for Vanderbilt, could line up against Elon’s All-American wide receiver Aaron Mellette.
Franklin Coaching Former Player
When James Franklin looks across Dudley Field, he’ll see a familiar face in Elon’s sophomore Tyler Smith. Franklin was Smith’s position coach last year at Maryland where he redshirted as a true freshman quarterback behind Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year Danny O’Brien.
