The Vanderbilt Commodores will come into Neyland Stadium looking for their second win against in-state rival Tennessee Volunteers since 1983.
Coach Bobby Johnson said that in spite of their SEC-low two wins and no wins in the conference, the Commodores are anxious for the opportunity to play in Neyland Stadium.
“We’re looking forward to competing with the University of Tennessee this weekend,” Johnson said. “We’re beat up a little bit, but that’s to be expected this time of year.”
Vandy has been beaten up all year, battling injuries on the offensive line and quarterback positions. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Larry Smith tore a hamstring against Georgia Tech, paving the way for redshirt senior Mackenzi Adams to take over in his stead.
But with a banged-up offensive line missing two starters, Johnson said quarterback play has been inconsistent at best.
In four games, Adams has averaged 77.7 yards while throwing one touchdown and two picks. Against Kentucky last week, Johnson said that inconsistency was made evident.
“In the first half, he played very well,” he said. “On the offensive line, we protected better. In the second half, I think because he was rushed, he started rushing some throws and missing some people.”
Vanderbilt’s offense mustered 127 passing yards in the team’s 24-13 loss to the Wildcats.
In spite of the poor record, the Commodores have had one highlight this season in freshman running back Warren Norman.
The rookie’s 64.5 average rushing yards per game haven’t made many heads turn, but his three kickoff returns for touchdowns and his SEC-leading all-purpose yards have the attention of UT head coach Lane Kiffin.
“He’s maybe on page to be the all-time freshman in total all-purpose yards,” Kiffin said. “Obviously, we’ve had a lot of issues with tackling over the past week and a half, so he’s going to be tough to stop.”
Norman is also Vandy’s only top-five player in any offensive or special teams statistical category aside from punter Brett Upson, who is third in the SEC in average yards per punt and first for punts inside the 20-yard line with 22.
Defensively, the Commodores have given up a lot of yards. Opponents have outgained Vandy by 542 yards and averaged 5.1 yards allowed per play.
Four different ‘Dores have lined up at outside linebacker, playing senior backer Brent Trice at free safety some weeks and freshman Eddie Foster at corner two weeks in a row.
That cornerback position and both safeties have also been in flux throughout the season, with only Myron Lewis starting all 11 games in the backfield. But Vanderbilt will be without Lewis against the Vols as he nurses a knee injury.
The ‘Dores have still found some consistency in middle linebacker Chris Marve.
Marve leads the SEC with 110 total tackles and leads the team with 6.5 tackles per loss while also recording a sack for eight yards.
“Chris has got a lot of energy and plays extremely hard,” Johnson said. “He’s beat up, and that’s a tough position to play all year and he just plays through pain.”
Though Johnson was full of praise for Marve, he also said if his defense as a whole does not stop UT’s run, then a winless conference record is sure to come.
