NASHVILLE, Tenn. — After its second bye week of the 2022 season, and after eight games, Vanderbilt begins the final month and final third of the campaign at 6:30 p.m. Saturday when it hosts long-time nemesis South Carolina.
The Commodores (3-5, 0-4 SEC) will be looking to snap a 13-game losing streak against a program that has historically had their number. More importantly, Vandy is starting a crucial stretch against division rivals with its own postseason aspirations still dimly lit.
“We’re focused on this team playing at its highest level and we think we have a chance to do that,” Vanderbilt second-year head coach Clark Lea said Tuesday. “For us to get to that point on Saturday where things click into place we have to have a great week of preparation and we’re not at a point in our program where we can skip steps.
“We can’t make assumptions about just showing up and putting the ball down on Saturday. We have to this through the week. We know we have a good enough team to earn that result. But the proof is in the doing.”
Lea’s squad has had ample time to stew in the disappointing and demoralizing defeat that was a 17-14 result at Missouri on Oct. 22. The Commodores dug themselves a 17-0 hole before a furious, late rally fell short with 78 seconds left to play in regulation.
Vanderbilt, under Lea, has now had five of its last 12 SEC losses come by an average of 8.8 points. An indication that Vandy is close to breaking through, but also struggling to find a way to win.
The Dores had two weeks to try to get over another excruciating loss while trying to find ways to get over the proverbial hump.
“Coming out of the Missouri game I thought there was definitely some things to build upon and positive points. Obviously frustrated with the lack of result and also had to get through the sting and the feeling and the emotion behind falling short. And that has impact. Tough people have to step back into the fight,” Lea said. “I thought our team did that during the bye week. Thought we had a productive week. Still trying to work back healthy and this time of year I think everyone is struggling with that.
“But I feel like we’ve had a good start to the week here as we head into our Salute to Service game against South Carolina.”
South Carolina (5-3, 2-3 SEC) had found its way into The Associated Press Top 25 after four consecutive wins. But a 23-10 loss to Missouri on Saturday in the Palmetto State halted the Gamecocks’ momentum and dropped them out of the national rankings.
Vandy has only defeated South Carolina four times in a series that dates to 1961. Vanderbilt’s last victory in the rivalry came in 2008.
In 2021, at Williams Brice Stadium, the Commodores nearly broke that long streak before falling 21-20 in a last-minute loss.
“Gut-wrenching is a good phrase to use. A really, really tough one,” Vandy tight end Gavin Schoenwald said. “I remember being in the locker room after the game specifically, very vividly, and coach being around … yeah, that was gut-wrenching. I think that’s one we definitely want to have back and it’s definitely an unbelievable opportunity we got Saturday night so we’re really excited.”
Quarterback Spencer Rattler has thrown nine interceptions in eight games for the Gamecocks, but running back MarShawn Lloyd has 556 yards rushing and nine rushing touchdowns. Safety Nick Emmanwori leads the South Carolina defense with 5.1 tackles per game.
At 5-3 overall, South Carolina will be looking to earn bowl eligibility with a win Saturday.
“I think their running back is a very good player. I think he challenges you leverage in every instance. He’s a great player,” Vanderbilt defensive coordinator Nick Howell said. “They have two or three good receivers that they can get the ball to on the perimeter down the field. Like most of these SEC teams, really good tight end play and multiplicity of tight end play in terms of formations and what they can do with those guys. Then they have a quarterback who is a good player, so it looks like another SEC offense to me.”
Saturday’s contest for Vanderbilt is the first of three at FirstBank Stadium in November. The Commodores’ final road game of the slate is Nov. 12 at Kentucky followed by home games with Florida and arch-rival Tennessee, respectively.
Vandy needs to triumph in at least three of the next four to find its way to a bowl game for the first time since 2018.
“The word in our locker room right now is opportunity,” Schoenwald said. “We have a huge opportunity against a South Carolina team that Vanderbilt football has not beaten in a long time. Chance to do it in a night game, we’re really excited about.”
— Chad Bishop covers Vanderbilt for VUCommodores.com.
Follow him @MrChadBishop.
