Nov. 9, 2011
Take a guess which Southeastern Conference offense has produced the most plays of 40 yards or more?
The Vanderbilt Commodores is your answer.
According to cfbstats.com, the Commodores have 25 plays of at least 30 yards, two more than Arkansas and three ahead of Alabama. Vanderbilt also tops the conference with 13 plays of 40 yards or more.
“Vanderbilt might be a surprise leader to some, but we’re doing what we said we wanted to on offense,” first-year Commodore Head Coach James Franklin. “We said our offense was going to be exciting and we were going to make big plays.
“Making explosive plays downfield is rewarding for our players and coaches, and creates more fun and excitement for Commodore fans in the stands,” Franklin added.
The increase of explosive plays has Vanderbilt scoring more points and accumulating more yards under first-year offensive coordinator John Donovan than in recent years. Through nine games, the Commodores are averaging 24.8 points, a touchdown more than one year ago. The unit’s total offense is up nearly 60 yards over a year ago.
Junior running back Zac Stacy, junior quarterback Jordan Rodgers and sophomore receiver Jordan Matthews have triggered most of the Commodore big plays.
Stacy shares the SEC lead with Michael Dyer of Auburn with six carries of 30 yards or more and three carries of at least 50 yards. He also ranks second to Alabama’s Trent Richardson with nine rushes of at least 20 yards.
Despite just four starts, Rodgers is tied for third in the conference with 10 completions of at least 30 yards. Matthews also ranks third in the league with six receptions of at least 30 yards.
When compared to past years, the stats show further proof of the Commodores’ offensive progress under Franklin and his staff. In 2010, the Commodores ranked 10th in the SEC with 22 plays of at least 30 yards.
Vanderbilt’s current scoring offense ranks among the team’s best in recent decades. The 24.8-point average has been topped just once in the last two decades. That came with Jay Cutler was the SEC’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2005.
