NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Vanderbilt football team has pivoted out of camp mode and into game mode.
With classes on West End beginning this week and the season-opener against Virginia Tech approaching, Clark Lea’s squad held its last fall camp practice on Thursday. The team will go through its bench control scrimmage at FirstBank Stadium on Saturday, taking one last chance to work through the operational considerations such as play-calling and game-specific situations, before returning to the practice field Sunday focused solely on the Hokies.
Thursday provided a bit of a transition day, signifying the end of the camp grind while also including the first look at Virginia Tech.
“First day of Virginia Tech prep today and I was impressed with the spirit, attitude and effort on the field today,” Lea said after practice. “It looked like a program that’s trying to accomplish something. We’re going to celebrate that, but continue to stack days for the next week-and-a-half and get ready to play a tough team.”
While Lea knows fans are anxious to know who will take the first snap under center for the Commodores, he will continue to keep his cards close to the vest.
“We’ve talked about all positions and certainly quarterback is one of them,” Lea explained. “It’s the singular most important position on the field. The offense runs through the quarterback. He’s got to be the problem solver and the coach on the field. He’s also a leader in your locker room. We’ve definitely given that the attention it needs and across the field we’re going to give this team what it needs for game week.”
On the other side of the ball, the Lea-run defense feels different to safety CJ Taylor.
“Everyone out here wants to win,” Taylor said. “Sometimes we’re butting heads, but we’re all determined to put the best product on the field.”
Linebacker Langston Patterson echoed that opinion and talked about his excitement to finally be focused on an opponent.
“We’ve gotten it dialed in and gotten it together,” Patterson said. “We’ve grown so much over fall camp and we’re just ready for the first game. We can’t wait to attack Virginia Tech.”
Fans can get a chance to interact with the Commodores on Saturday at Dore Jam. The event is set for 2-4 p.m. at the David Williams II Recreation and Wellness Center.
The 2024 season opens one week later when Virginia Tech visits FirstBank Stadium for an 11 a.m. kickoff on ESPN. Fans can buy tickets here.
