2011 Vanderbilt Commodores football team

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2011 Vanderbilt Commodores football
Liberty Bowl, L 24–31 vs. Cincinnati
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionEastern Division
Record6–7 (2–6 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorJohn Donovan (1st season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinatorBob Shoop (1st season)
Base defense4–3
Captain
5
Home stadiumVanderbilt Stadium
Seasons
← 2010
2012 →
2011 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Eastern Division
No. 19 Georgia x   7 1     10 4  
No. 9 South Carolina   6 2     11 2  
Florida   3 5     7 6  
Vanderbilt   2 6     6 7  
Kentucky   2 6     5 7  
Tennessee   1 7     5 7  
Western Division
No. 2 LSU x$   8 0     13 1  
No. 1 Alabama  %#   7 1     12 1  
No. 5 Arkansas   6 2     11 2  
Auburn   4 4     8 5  
Mississippi State   2 6     7 6  
Ole Miss*   0 8     2 10  
Championship: LSU 42, Georgia 10
  • # – BCS National Champion
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • % – BCS at-large representative
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • * Ole Miss vacated all wins due to NCAA violations.
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2011 Vanderbilt Commodores football team represented Vanderbilt University during the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Commodores played their seven home games at Vanderbilt Stadium at Dudley Field in Nashville, Tennessee, which has been Vanderbilt football's home stadium since 1922.[1] The team's head coach was James Franklin, who was in his first year at Vanderbilt. Hired at Vanderbilt on December 17, 2010, he was previously the offensive coordinator and "head coach in waiting" at the University of Maryland.[2] Vanderbilt has been a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) since the league's inception in 1932, and has participated in the conference's Eastern Division since its formation for the 1992 season. Vanderbilt completed the 2011 regular season with an overall record of 6–6 and a mark of 2–6 in conference play, finishing in a tie with Kentucky for fourth place in the SEC East. They were invited to the Liberty Bowl where they were defeated by Cincinnati 24–31 to finish the season 6–7. 2011. The seniors of the 2011 Vanderbilt football team became the first class in program history to qualify for two bowl games while at the school. Vanderbilt had only been to bowls in 1955 VS Auburn, 1974 VS Texas Tech, 1982 VS Air Force, and 2008 VS Boston College.

Coaching changes[edit]

At the end of the 2010 season, head coach Robbie Caldwell resigned from Vanderbilt.[3] After a long nationwide coaching search, in which Gus Malzahn, Auburn's offensive coordinator, nearly accepted the job,[4] James Franklin was hired as the 27th head football coach at Vanderbilt University.[5] Franklin proceeded to hire John Donovan as the new offensive coordinator and Bob Shoop as the new defensive coordinator. Franklin also retained Herb Hand as offensive line coach from the previous Vanderbilt staff, and hired Chris Beatty from West Virginia, who had been Percy Harvin's high school coach, as the new wide receivers coach.[6]

Recruiting[edit]

On February 2, 2011, Franklin announced a football recruiting class of 21 athletes. The class has been hailed as one of the best in Vanderbilt football history,[7] especially because Vanderbilt was able to persuade several prospects from larger and nationally known schools, such as Lafonte Thourogood from Virginia Tech, Dillon Van der Wal from Arizona State, and Barron Dixon from Mississippi State.[8] Lafonte Thourogood and Dillon van der Wal were both rated as four star recruits by Scout.com.[9]

In 2011 Vanderbilt introduced a new black helmet

Schedule[edit]

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 36:30 p.m.Elon*CSSW 45–1427,599
September 106:30 p.m.Connecticut*
  • Vanderbilt Stadium
  • Nashville, TN
CSSW 24–2132,119
September 1711:21 a.m.Ole Miss
  • Vanderbilt Stadium
  • Nashville, TN (rivalry)
SECNW 30–734,579
September 246:00 p.m.at No. 12 South CarolinaESPN2L 3–2177,015
October 86:00 p.m.at No. 2 AlabamaESPNUL 0–34101,821
October 156:00 p.m.Georgia
  • Vanderbilt Stadium
  • Nashville, TN (rivalry)
FS SouthL 28–3336,640
October 226:00 p.m.Army*dagger
  • Vanderbilt Stadium
  • Nashville, TN
ESPNUW 44–2132,210
October 2911:21 a.m.No. 8 Arkansas
  • Vanderbilt Stadium
  • Nashville, TN
SECNL 28–3133,247
November 511:21 a.m.at FloridaSECNL 21–2690,144
November 1211:21 a.m.Kentucky
  • Vanderbilt Stadium
  • Nashville, TN (rivalry)
SECNW 38–833,718
November 196:00 p.m.at TennesseeESPNUL 21–27 OT91,367
November 262:30 p.m.at Wake Forest*ESPNUW 41–728,020
December 312:30 p.m.vs. Cincinnati*ABCL 24–3157,103
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

Coaching staff[edit]

Name Position Years at VU
James Franklin Head coach 1st
John Donovan Offensive coordinator / running backs coach 1st
Bob Shoop Defensive coordinator / safeties coach 1st
Charles Bankins Special teams coordinator / tight ends coach 1st
Chris Beatty Wide receivers coach 1st
Herb Hand Offensive line coach 1st
Wesley McGriff Defensive backs coach 1st
Ricky Rahne Quarterbacks Coach 1st
Brent Pry Co-defensive Coordinator / linebackers coach 1st
Sean Spencer Defensive line coach 1st
Andy Frank Assistant Director of football operations 3rd
Jemal Griffin Football Chief of Staff 1st
Michael Hazel Director of football operations 3rd
Robert Livingston Defensive Quality Control Coach 1st
Norval McKenzie Assistant Recruiting Coordinator 3rd
Joey Orck Offensive Graduate Assistant 3rd
Tom Bossung Head Athletic Trainer 13th
Kevin Colon Associate Director of student athletics 1st
Dwight Galt Football Strength and Conditioning Director 1st
Chuck Losey Football Assistant Strength Coach 1st
Kevin Threlkel Offensive Administrative Assistant 1st
Luke Wyatt Head Equipment Manager 29th

[10]

Game summaries[edit]

Elon[edit]

This game marked the first meeting between these schools.

1 234Total
Elon 0 770 14
Vanderbilt 7 14321 45
  • Location: Nashville, Tennessee
  • Game start: 6:30 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:00
  • Game attendance: 27,599
  • Game weather: 97, Partly Cloudy
  • Referee: Mike Austin
  • Television network: CSS

Connecticut[edit]

Connecticut Game

This was the third meeting between these schools. Vandy holds a one-game lead in the series at 2 wins to 1 loss.

1 234Total
Connecticut 3 0108 21
Vanderbilt 14 0010 24
  • Location: Nashville, Tennessee
  • Game start: 6:30 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:11
  • Game attendance: 32,119
  • Game weather: 80, Scattered Clouds
  • Referee: John McDaid
  • Television network: CSS

Mississippi[edit]

One of college football's oldest rivalries, Vanderbilt and Old Miss have played 85 times since 1894. Vandy won the first 19 of those games, and Ole Miss did not score in the first ten games. Vandy trails at 37–47–2 Vandy won last game 30–7.

1 234Total
Mississippi 0 007 7
Vanderbilt 0 2190 30
  • Location: Nashville, Tennessee
  • Game start: 11:21 a.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:21
  • Game attendance: 34,579
  • Game weather: 69, Partly Cloudy
  • Referee: Hubert Owens
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal (play-by-play), Andre Ware (color), Cara Capuano (sideline)

South Carolina[edit]

Vandy first played USC in 1961, but they did not play each other again until 1992. They have played each year since, with Vandy losing the first seven games. Vandy trails the overall series 4–16, and USC has won the last two games. The score of the most recent game was 3–21 in favor of South Carolina.

1 234Total
Vanderbilt 3 000 3
#12 South Carolina 0 1470 21
  • Location: Columbia, South Carolina
  • Game start: 7:00 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:19
  • Game attendance: 77,015
  • Game weather: 79, Partly Cloudy
  • Referee: Marc Curles
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Mark Jones (play-by-play), Ed Cunningham (color), Jeannine Edwards (sideline)

Alabama[edit]

Vandy has played Alabama 78 times since 1903. Vandy won the first five games, but have only won ten more times since. Vandy trails the all-time series 15–59–4. Alabama has won the last 20 games (the 1993 games was forfeited). They last played in 2007, with the result a 10–24 Alabama win.

1 234Total
Vanderbilt 0 000 0
#2 Alabama 7 7137 34
  • Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
  • Game start: 6:00 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 2:59
  • Game attendance: 101,821
  • Game weather: 77, Sunny
  • Referee: Penn Wagers
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Clay Matvick (play-by-play), Brian Griese (color), Allison Williams (sideline)

Georgia[edit]

Vs. Georgia

Vandy has been playing Georgia almost every year since 1893. Vandy trails 18–51–2 all-time. Georgia has won the last three games, and the last game was 10–34 Georgia.

1 234Total
Georgia 0 2067 33
Vanderbilt 0 7147 28
  • Location: Nashville, Tennessee
  • Game start: 6:00 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:34
  • Game attendance: 36,640
  • Game weather: 68, Clear
  • Referee: Matt Austin
  • TV announcers (FS South): Bob Rathbun (play-by-play), Tim Couch (color), Kristin Akra (sideline)

Army[edit]

Vs. 2011 Army Black Knights
101st Screaming Eagles at Vanderbilt-Army game

Army and Vandy have played eight games since 1968. The series is tied at 4 games each. In 2009, Army won their last meeting in overtime, 13–16.

1 234Total
Army 6 087 21
Vanderbilt 13 10147 44
  • Location: Nashville, Tennessee
  • Game start: 6:00 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:15
  • Game attendance: 32,210
  • Game weather: 50, Broken Clouds
  • Referee: David Smith
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Clay Matvick (play-by-play), Brian Griese (color), Allison Williams (sideline)

[11]

Arkansas[edit]

Vs. Arkansas Razorbacks

Vandy has played Arkansas eight times since 1949. Vandy trails the series 2–6, and Arkansas has won the last two last games. The last game was an Arkansas win, 14–49. Vanderbilt had a chance to tie the game with :12 left in the 4th quarter, but Carey Spear missed a 27-yard field goal and hooked it right. The Hogs survived their second upset of the season, with Ole Miss being their first.

1 234Total
#8 Arkansas 7 7611 31
Vanderbilt 7 1470 28
  • Location: Nashville, Tennessee
  • Game start: 11:21 a.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:24
  • Game attendance: 33,247
  • Game weather: 40, Clear
  • Referee: Marc Curles
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal (play-by-play), Andre Ware (color), Cara Capuano (sideline)

Florida[edit]

Vandy and Florida have been playing since 1945. Vandy trails 9–33–2, and Vandy has lost the last 20 games. In their last meeting, Florida won 14–55.

1 234Total
Vanderbilt 0 0714 21
Florida 0 1736 26
  • Location: Gainesville, Florida
  • Game start: 12:21 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:16
  • Game attendance: 90,144
  • Game weather: 59, Cloudy
  • Referee: Penn Wagers
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal (play-by-play), Andre Ware (color), Cara Capuano (sideline)

Kentucky[edit]

Vandy and Kentucky have played 83 times since 1896. Vandy won the first nine games, and Kentucky did not score on Vandy for the first eleven games. Vandy trails 38–41–4, and Kentucky has won the last two games. The last game was a 20–38 Kentucky victory.

1 234Total
Kentucky 0 080 8
Vanderbilt 7 1777 38
  • Location: Nashville, Tennessee
  • Game start: 11:21 a.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:08
  • Game attendance: 33,718
  • Game weather: 56, Partly Cloudy
  • Referee: Matt Moore
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal (play-by-play), Andre Ware (color), Cara Capuano (sideline)

Tennessee[edit]

Vandy and Tennessee have played 105 times. Vandy did not lose for the first 12 games, but since 1928 UT has dominated the series. Overall, Vandy trails 27–72–5. Tennessee has won the last five games in the series, and the last game was a 10–24 Tennessee win.

1 234OTTotal
Vanderbilt 0 7770 21
• Tennessee 7 7076 27
  • Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
  • Game start: 7:00 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:21
  • Game attendance: 91,367
  • Game weather: 52, Clear
  • Referee: Marc Curles
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Clay Matvick (play-by-play), Brian Griese (color), Allison Williams (sideline)

Wake Forest[edit]

Vandy and Wake Forest have played 13 times since 1964, and this is the only series in which Vandy plays during the 2011 football season that Vandy holds the all-time lead in, at 7–6–0. Wake, however, has won the last three. The last game was a 13–34 Wake Forest win.

1 234Total
Vanderbilt 6 2177 41
Wake Forest 0 700 7
  • Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
  • Game start: 3:30 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:12
  • Game attendance: 28,020
  • Game weather: 65, Sunny and Fair
  • Referee: Ken Williamson
  • Television network: ESPNU

Cincinnati[edit]

Vanderbilt and Cincinnati had met six times, dating back to 1898. Cincinnati holds the lead with 4 wins.

Liberty Bowl
1 234Total
Vanderbilt 7 0710 24
Cincinnati 0 14017 31
  • Location: Memphis, Tennessee
  • Game start: 2:30 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 57,103
  • Television network: ABC

References[edit]

  1. ^ http://vucommodores.cstv.com/facilities/vand-stadium.html Archived 2011-09-29 at the Wayback Machine Vanderbilt Stadium
  2. ^ http://www.umterps.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/franklin_james01.html Archived 2011-07-17 at the Wayback Machine James Franklin Maryland Bio
  3. ^ http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112710aac.html Caldwell steps aside as head coach
  4. ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5915527&source=NCFHeadlines Auburn Tigers Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn snubs Vanderbilt offer
  5. ^ http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121710aae.html James Franklin VU Head Football Coach
  6. ^ http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/011311aab.html Franklin announces initial hires
  7. ^ http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/020211aab.html James Franklin National Signing Day Press Conference
  8. ^ http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/19694/sec-recruiting-rewind-vanderbilt SEC Recruiting Rewind: Vanderbilt, from ESPN
  9. ^ http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/2011-signing-day.html Vanderbilt Football Signing Class
  10. ^ "Vanderbilt Official Athletic Site - Football". Archived from the original on August 6, 2011. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  11. ^ "Army vs. Vanderbilt - Game Recap - October 22, 2011 - ESPN".