Aug. 2, 2017
On campus in Nashville — After watching the offense register several touchdowns in a limited 11-on-11 segment that closed the third preseason practice Wednesday, head coach Derek Mason ordered every defensive player to perform 30 up-downs. And as their coordinator, Mason joined in the exercise.
Afterward, Mason praised players on both sides of the ball, saying collectively they were pushing each other to become a better squad.
“It was a good day. The attitude and intensity was there and I saw good energy and hustle,” Mason said. “I’m definitely seeing guys strain to finish and compete.”
“It was good to see the offense put the ball in the end zone too. They’re going to make us better defensively and they’re going to make us a better team overall. I like seeing our offense push the defense, and our defense push back. I’m seeing a lot of that early in camp,” the coach added.
Practicing for two hours in limited gear, the Commodores focused on scheme development, individual fundamentals, position drills and special teams for much of the session.
The offense enjoyed much of its success in the final segment, producing six scores in a brief 11-on-11 situational scrimmage of plays originating inside the 20-yard line. Quarterback Kyle Shurmur was sharp in the non-tackle team drill, throwing touchdowns on consecutive plays to wideouts Kalija Lipscomb and C.J. Duncan, then hitting tight end Jared Pinkney, who made a sensational catch despite close coverage by safety Arnold Tarpley III.
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Quarterbacks Shawn Stankavage and Deuce Wallace also threw touchdowns: Stankavage hitting running back Dallas Rivers on two occasions and Wallace connecting with wide receiver James Bostic.
The defense also produced highlights. Early in the segment, cornerback Donovan Sheffield recovered a fumble. Outside linebacker Kenny Hebert forced poor throws by applying heavy pressure on back-to-back plays. Inside linebackers Jay Hockaday and Brayden DeVault-Smith and safety Andrew Rector also forced incompletions by pressuring quarterbacks.
Autographs, live music and food trucks at Dore Jam this Saturday
The Commodores are looking for a big crowd this Saturday at Dore Jam, the team’s annual fan day. The free event will be held in the Multipurpose Facility on campus, from 4-6 p.m. Free parking is available in West Garage and on surface lots across Natchez Trace from the Vanderbilt Track & Field Complex.
A new entrance at the Multipurpose Facility will be used for Dore Jam. Fans will enter the facility off of Children’s Way, close to food trucks from Pig N Pit, A Little Italian and blue Monkey Shaved Ice.
Posters featuring the 2017 football schedule, to be distributed free at the gate, can be used for autographs from Coach Mason and the entire squad.
An array of activities, from inflatables, face painters and balloon artists to obstacle courses, soccer skee ball and football kicking stations, will be available for young Vanderbilt fans.
