Dec. 19, 2016
Vanderbilt is back in postseason play for the first time in three years, largely due to its remarkable results inside the 20-yard line.
All season, the Commodores have been one of the nation’s most productive red zone teams – getting points out of nearly every offensive possession inside the 20-yard line and keeping opponents off the scoreboard in defensive situations.
The Commodores rank No. 1 nationally in defensive red zone efficiency and No. 2 in offensive red zone conversions. Only one other team among the 128 FBS schools – BYU – ranks in the Top Ten in both statistical categories.
Head Coach Derek Mason, who has stressed the importance of red zone efficiency since preseason camp, says the two stats are key factors in the Commodores’ improvement from 4-8 in 2015 to 6-6 and a Camping World Independence Bowl invitation this year.
“We’ve talked about improving our efficiency in those areas since the first day and it’s obviously been critical to our season,” Mason said. “If you can make the most of your offensive possessions inside the 20-yard line and limit opponents when they have the ball deep in your territory, you’re going to increase chances for victory.
“You can point to our red zone production as a chief reason why we were in virtually every game. At the end of the season, I thought our red zone success was a big factor in getting some important wins for this program,” Mason added.
The Vanderbilt offense enjoyed a remarkable turnaround in red zone conversions. The unit produced points at a 95.5 percent clip inside the 20-yard line, scoring on 42 of 44 possessions. Last year, the Commodore offense scored on just 64% of its red zone possessions.
The only offense performing at a higher level nationally than the Commodores is Orange Bowl-bound Florida State. The Seminoles have succeeded on 96.3% of its possessions inside the 20 (52 of 54).
Andy Ludwig’s Commodore offense also has scored 31 touchdowns on its 44 red zone possessions, a 70.5% rate. In 2015, the unit produced red zone touchdowns at a 45.5% clip.
The Commodore defense has held opponents without points on 15 of 44 red zone possessions. Vanderbilt’s 65.9% defensive red zone efficiency leads the nation.
Mason’s defense also kept opponents out of the Commodore end zone at a superb rate. Teams scored touchdowns on just 20 of 44 red zone possessions (45.5%).
In Vanderbilt’s convincing victories over Ole Miss and Tennessee to conclude the regular season, the Commodores were 12-of-12 on offensive red zone possessions and 4-of-8 on defensive red zone drives. Vanderbilt also produced 10 touchdowns on its 12 drives, and held opponents to two touchdowns on its eight possession inside the 20-yard line.
Vanderbilt is one of eight teams nationally who rank in the Top 25 in both offensive and defensive red zone conversions. The other seven teams – Washington, BYU, Iowa, Kansas State, Central Florida, Michigan and Colorado – have a combined record of 62-26.
Mason to appear with Bryce Drew tonight on Commodore Coaches Show
Mason will take some time away from preparing for Independence Bowl opponent N.C. State to appear as a special guest tonight on the Commodore Coaches Show.
Mason will appear for a segment on the radio show with basketball coach Bryce Drew and Vanderbilt play-by-play announcer Joe Fisher starting at 7:15 p.m. CT.
Mason will discuss preparations for 6-6 N.C. State. The Commodores and Wolfpack face off Monday, Dec. 26 in Shreveport. Tickets are still available here.
Vanderbilt fans are encouraged to attend the radio show, which is held in the Commodore Grille at the West End Holiday Inn.
The Coaches Show also can be heard on 1510 WLAC and WNSR AM-560/95.9 FM.
