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Vanderbilt/Alabama Post-Game Notes
9/10/2006
PRE-GAME NOTES
Senior offensive tackle Brian Stamper and junior linebacker Jonathan Goff served as team captains? Goff wears a “1” patch on his jersey in honor of Kwane Doster, who was tragically killed in December of 2004.
CAREER FIRSTS
? A pair of Commodores made their first career starts in the secondary. Redshirt-freshman Joel Caldwell started at one corner exactly one month after dislocating his elbow in the preseason. Caldwell, a native of Hoover, Ala., and high school teammate of UA quarterback John Parker Wilson, saw the first action of his collegiate career after sitting out against Michigan. True freshman D.J. Moore, a special teams standout a week ago, started at the other corner. Today’s offensive starters matched those from the Michigan game.
? Redshirt-freshman linebacker Brandon Bryant saw his first collegiate action today after missing the Michigan game. Bryant and Caldwell were the only Commodores to make their first appearance.
EVERYBODY’S WATCHING
Today’s contest marks the third consecutive game that the Commodores have played in front of over 92,000 fans — a first in Vanderbilt history. The two previous games set attendance records for Vanderbilt football. Vanderbilt’s last four road games have all been attended by over 90,000 fans. A total of 399,433 people have witnessed VU’s last four road contests.
Date Opponent Attendance Result
Sept. 9, 2006 at Alabama 92,138 UA 13, VU 10
Sept. 2, 2006 at Michigan 109,668 UM 27, VU 7
Nov. 19, 2005 at Tennessee 107,487 VU 28, UT 24
Nov. 5, 2005 at Florida 90,140 UF 49, VU 42 (2OT)
IN-GAME NOTES
With :58 seconds remaining in the first quarter, redshirt-freshmen Steven Stone forced Alabama into a field goal situation with his first career tackle for loss on a third down play in Vanderbilt territory? The Commodore defense responded after Vanderbilt’s first giveaway of the game. Sophomore safety Reshard Langford intercepted a Wilson pass at the 11:57 mark of the second quarter to give Vanderbilt the ball near midfield. Langford led the Commodores with three interceptions a year ago? Sophomore receiver Earl Bennett showed off his arm again this week, throwing a 15-yard pass to senior Marlon White at the 10:57 mark. Last week at Michigan, Bennett threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to White? With four minutes remaining in the first half, the Vanderbilt defense made its second takeaway of the game. On a third-and-1 play on the Vanderbilt 14-yard line, junior linebacker Jonathan Goff forced a fumble by an Alabama running back. The fumble was recovered by freshman cornerback D.J. Moore. The play marked the second forced fumble of Goff’s career and Moore’s first recovery? Moore’s takeaway led to sophomore quarterback Chris Nickson’s first career touchdown pass, a six-yard strike to sophomore Earl Bennett with :14 seconds remaining before halftime. The TD catch was the 10th of Bennett’s young career? Vanderbilt’s third takeaway of the game came with 8:19 in the third quarter. With Alabama at the goal line, Jonathan Goff recorded his second forced fumble to keep the game knotted at 10-10. Junior defensive end Curtis Gatewood came out of a pile with the recovery, the first of his Vanderbilt career? On third-and-long with just under eight minutes to play, redshirt freshman defensive end Broderick Stewart recorded a sack to force the Crimson Tide to kick their second field goal of the game.
POST-GAME NOTES
Jonathan Goff continued his defensive domination, making a team-high 13 tackles, including seven solo stops. Goff also forced two fumbles and broke up a pass attempt? Sophomore receiver Sean Walker made the longest reception of his career, a 28-yard catch on third down, in the second quarter? Chris Nickson set career highs in passing yards (140, previous best: 99 vs. Michigan, 2006) and completions (15, previous best: 11 vs. Michigan, 2006) as well as rushing yards (40, previous best: 39 vs. Richmond, 2005)? True freshman Brett Upson helped the Commodores in the field position battle. In just his second collegiate start, Upson punted five times for an average of 43.6 yards, pinning Alabama inside the 20-yard line twice. The Crimson Tide had minus-two yards on only one punt returns? Earl Bennett posed a triple threat again for the Commodores. The wide out from nearby Birmingham caught 5 passes for 45 yards and one touchdown. Bennett also ran the ball once for three yards and threw a 15-yard completion? Senior fullback Steven Bright got more involved in the passing game today, catching four balls for 52 yards? Sophomore placekicker Bryant Hahnfeldt connected on his first attempt of the 2006 season, a 42-yard field goal early in the second quarter. In his career, Hahnfeldt has made 6-of-8 attempts from 40 yards or deeper? Senior safety Ben Koger made six tackles, including one for a two-yard loss, and broke up a pass attempt? Junior linebacker Marcus Buggs made six tackles, including one for an eight-yard loss, and was also credited with a quarterback hurry? Senior linebacker Kevin Joyce and freshman cornerback D.J. Moore also posted six tackles apiece? Junior tailback Cassen Jackson-Garrison carried the ball nine times for 42 yards, an average of 4.7 yards per carry.
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