NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Rivalry week just brings out something different in the Commodores each and every season.
And although 2020 will be remembered as a season that had its own unique challenges, facing Tennessee in the home finale Saturday hasn’t dulled the sharpness of what is anticipated to be another fierce matchup.
“Rivalry week means a lot to the guys and it definitely means a lot to the state of Tennessee,” Vanderbilt senior wide receiver Chris Pierce Jr. said. “We go into every game and expect to compete, but playing Tennessee it definitely means a little bit more – I’d be lying if I said it didn’t. This is a game that everyone on both sides really wants to win.”
Pierce and his fellow Vanderbilt seniors have been part of three wins in the last four tries against the Volunteers. Making it four out of five will require every bit of effort Vandy has left in the tank with a roster short on numbers.
Interim head coach Todd Fitch and his staff will put forth the best lineup they can after COVID-19 issues and injuries have severely depleted the amount of student-athletes available for Saturday.
But those who will play have vowed to give it their all.
“When it comes down to it, all we need is 11 on offense and 11 on defense and we got it,” Pierce said. “The guys that we have here, I trust they’re going to go out there and compete. I trust the coaching staff that they’re going to put a great team out there Saturday.”
After beginning the week with Sunday and Monday practices, the Commodores (0-8, 0-8 SEC) took Tuesday off before returning to the field Wednesday. Seniors like Pierce and linebacker Andre Mintze have done their part to rally the troops around the common goal of beating the Volunteers for the third straight time at Vanderbilt Stadium.
Mintze said he has simply tried to bring energy and effort with everything the team has done these past few days, from special teams work to walk-throughs. He said he has driven home the point that the Dores must compete at the highest level in every facet of the game Saturday to have a chance at victory.
The Philadelphia native has also made sure his teammates don’t lose sight of the opportunity at hand.
“We’re D-I athletes that get to play football. Regardless of everything that has happened this year, we get to an opportunity to play football Saturday,” Mintze said. “So what we can do is control what we can control, which is our effort in practice, our effort watching film and finishing our semester strong.
“Just keep things in perspective. Right now we’re able to play a sport that we love so let’s take advantage and be fully-present in that moment.”
In 2012, Vanderbilt broke a 14-game losing streak to Tennessee with a 41-18 win. The Commodores had lost 34 of 36 before that result.
That trend has officially been reversed with Vandy winning 14-10 in 2013, 45-34 in 2016, 42-24 in 2017 and 38-13 in 2018. But in 2019 it was the Volunteers who came away victorious – and Vandy actually hasn’t won since.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Pierce said of a possible win Saturday. “A victory is what we all want, it’s what we’re all working for each week. A win would definitely be big for our team. I think it’s something we want and something we’re working for.”
Vanderbilt will be looking for its sixth win against Tennessee in this decade – that’s something the program hasn’t done since the 1920s, when it went 6-3-1 against the Volunteers. The contest will also be the final home game for many of the program’s seniors.
That’s why they wouldn’t let the chance to suit up one more time go by the wayside.
“This is something that we love to do. The coaches, the trainers, we give so much time and effort into this sport and to this game because we love it,” Mintze said. “Any opportunity to go against an opponent, and this week an in-state rival, it’s an opportunity that we all look forward to because we love the game and we love being in this place and representing the Star V.”
— Chad Bishop covers Vanderbilt for VUCommodores.com. Follow him @MrChadBishop.
