2011 Vanderbilt Commodores football team

Last updated

2011 Vanderbilt Commodores football
Vanderbilt Commodores logo.svg
Liberty Bowl, L 24–31 vs. Cincinnati
Conference Southeastern Conference
DivisionEastern Division
Record6–7 (2–6 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator John Donovan (1st season)
Offensive scheme Multiple
Defensive coordinator Bob Shoop (1st season)
Co-defensive coordinator Brent Pry (1st season)
Base defense 4–3
Captain
5
Home stadium Vanderbilt 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.

Contents

Coaching changes

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

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 Black and gold helm.png
In 2011 Vanderbilt introduced a new black helmet

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 36:30 p.m. Elon * CSS W 45–14 27,599
September 106:30 p.m. Connecticut *
  • Vanderbilt Stadium
  • Nashville, TN
CSSW 24–21 32,119
September 1711:21 a.m. Ole Miss
  • Vanderbilt Stadium
  • Nashville, TN (rivalry)
SECN W 30–7 34,579
September 246:00 p.m.at No. 12 South Carolina ESPN2 L 3–21 77,015
October 86:00 p.m.at No. 2 Alabama ESPNU L 0–34 101,821
October 156:00 p.m. Georgia
  • Vanderbilt Stadium
  • Nashville, TN (rivalry)
FS South L 28–33 36,640
October 226:00 p.m. Army *Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Vanderbilt Stadium
  • Nashville, TN
ESPNUW 44–21 32,210
October 2911:21 a.m.No. 8 Arkansas
  • Vanderbilt Stadium
  • Nashville, TN
SECNL 28–31 33,247
November 511:21 a.m.at Florida SECNL 21–26 90,144
November 1211:21 a.m. Kentucky
  • Vanderbilt Stadium
  • Nashville, TN (rivalry)
SECNW 38–8 33,718
November 196:00 p.m.at Tennessee ESPNUL 21–27 OT91,367
November 262:30 p.m.at Wake Forest *ESPNUW 41–7 28,020
December 312:30 p.m.vs. Cincinnati * ABC L 24–31 57,103
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

Coaching staff

NamePositionYearsat VU
James Franklin Head coach1st
John Donovan Offensive coordinator / running backs coach1st
Bob Shoop Defensive coordinator / safeties coach1st
Charles BankinsSpecial teams coordinator / tight ends coach1st
Chris Beatty Wide receivers coach1st
Herb Hand Offensive line coach1st
Wesley McGriffDefensive backs coach1st
Ricky Rahne Quarterbacks Coach1st
Brent Pry Co-defensive Coordinator / linebackers coach1st
Sean Spencer Defensive line coach1st
Andy FrankAssistant Director of football operations3rd
Jemal GriffinFootball Chief of Staff1st
Michael HazelDirector of football operations3rd
Robert Livingston Defensive Quality Control Coach1st
Norval McKenzieAssistant Recruiting Coordinator3rd
Joey OrckOffensive Graduate Assistant3rd
Tom BossungHead Athletic Trainer13th
Kevin ColonAssociate Director of student athletics1st
Dwight GaltFootball Strength and Conditioning Director1st
Chuck LoseyFootball Assistant Strength Coach1st
Kevin ThrelkelOffensive Administrative Assistant1st
Luke WyattHead Equipment Manager29th

[10]

Game summaries

Elon

This game marked the first meeting between these schools.

Team1234Total
Elon077014
Vanderbilt71432145
  • 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

Connecticut Game Vandy Vs UConn (76).JPG
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.

Team1234Total
Connecticut3010821
Vanderbilt14001024
  • 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

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.

Team1234Total
Mississippi00077
Vanderbilt0219030
  • 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

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.

Team1234Total
Vanderbilt30003
#12 South Carolina0147021
  • 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

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.

Team1234Total
Vanderbilt00000
#2 Alabama7713734
  • 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

Vs. Georgia Vandy Vs. Georgia (2).JPG
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.

Team1234Total
Georgia0206733
Vanderbilt0714728
  • 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

Vs. 2011 Army Black Knights Vandy Vs Army (126)h.jpg
Vs. 2011 Army Black Knights
101st Screaming Eagles at Vanderbilt-Army game Vandy Vs Army (37).JPG
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.

Team1234Total
Army608721
Vanderbilt131014744
  • 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

Vs. Arkansas Razorbacks Vandy Ark (1).JPG
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.

Team1234Total
#8 Arkansas7761131
Vanderbilt7147028
  • 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

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.

Team1234Total
Vanderbilt0071421
Florida0173626
  • 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

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.

Team1234Total
Kentucky00808
Vanderbilt7177738
  • 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

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.

Team1234OTTotal
Vanderbilt0777021
Tennessee7707627
  • 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

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.

Team1234Total
Vanderbilt6217741
Wake Forest07007
  • 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

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

Liberty Bowl
Team1234Total
Vanderbilt7071024
Cincinnati01401731
  • Location: Memphis, Tennessee
  • Game start: 2:30 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 57,103
  • Television network: ABC

References

  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. "Caldwell steps aside as head coach - Vanderbilt Official Athletic Site". vucommodores.cstv.com. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  4. "Auburn keeps O-boss Malzahn with extension". ESPN.com. December 13, 2010. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  5. "James Franklin: VU Football Head Coach - Vanderbilt Official Athletic Site". vucommodores.cstv.com. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  6. "Franklin announces initial hires - Vanderbilt Official Athletic Site". vucommodores.cstv.com. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  7. http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/020211aab.html James Franklin National Signing Day Press Conference
  8. "SEC recruiting rewind: Vanderbilt". ESPN.com. February 3, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  9. "Vanderbilt Official Athletic Site - Football". vucommodores.cstv.com. Archived from the original on September 26, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  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". Archived from the original on February 2, 2017.