That’s what the studio host said on ESPNU after our 55-21 victory over Wake on Saturday about our football team. Zac (above) rushed for 180 yards on 21 carries for the afternoon; an average of 8.6 a carry including a 90-yard jaunt in the fourth quarter. What a player, what a leader. Jordan Rodgers and Jordan Matthews aren’t too bad either. JRodge was 17-of-23 for 229 and 2 TDs. JMatt had 10 catches for 144 yards and a score. I think JRodge should make an NFL roster. With Jordan Rodgers, he just got behind when he got to us a couple of years ago then injured his shoulder in the spring before the 2011 season and was always catching up. He’s got it totally together now and he’s outstanding. I think he could be a good pro. He just keeps getting better. I want JMatt to stay another year with us, he’s a junior, but he’s got the ability to play at the NFL level in 2013. But I don’t even want to think about JMatt going pro. We’ve got to have him another year.
Here are some stats that I think you’ll find interesting: this was our first eight-win season since 1982; it was our first six-game win streak since 1948; it was our first season of five games of 40+ points scored since 1915. Zac Stacy set the school record with a career rushing mark of 3,036 yards. Jordan Matthews set the single season record for receiving yards with 1,262. Kicker Carey Spear, who converted field goals of 52 and 50 yards on Saturday-when has that ever happened?–had 81 points, which is the highest single season total for points in Vanderbilt history. Our fourth road win was the first time that has happened since 1948.
And the beauty of this season is it’s not over. Got one more to get ready for, then close out a stellar recruiting year in 2013 and get ready for another big year next year. I’ve heard from some sources that the Gator Bowl is very interested in us. I thought it was Chick-fil-A, but I’m hearing Gator now. With Mississippi State’s loss to Ole Miss on Saturday, I think we’ve very much in the mix for the Gator on New Year’s Day in Jacksonville. The Music City is still out there, but I like our chances for the Gator. Wow, that would be awesome. I’m hearing we could possibly play Wisconsin or another team from the Big Ten. Exciting stuff.
But I just want to say another thing about these players. We all know what a miraculous job James has done with the program, bringing so much energy into the program, the school and the community. He’s been sensational. I hope he stays with us for the rest of his career May be a stretch, but the kids love him, the school loves him, Nashville loves him and all the alumni around the country love him. He can sell one of the top college degrees in the country, an awesome city and a team that believes it can play for championships in the next however many years he’s with us. What is not to love about that? I wish I could say James is going to make Vanderbilt his last stop, but I can’t guarantee it. But this year sure has been a thrill, and I want to thank him as an alumnus for what he’s done for the program.
But it’s the players too who have made the commitment, been through their first two or three years of hard times, hung with it, and are reaping the benefits of their dedication and loyalty to the university and their football team. I have thought about that John Mellencamp song, “Hard Times for An Honest Man,” and have thought about how tough it’s been for our football players at times throughout their careers. Zac, Jordan Rodgers, Rob Lohr, Ryan Seymour, Trey Wilson, Josh Jelesky, Johnell Thomas, Austin Monahan, Archibald Barnes, Colt Nichter, all the seniors, and the juniors who have persevered through difficult times, deserve this. Man, have they ever earned this. So proud of them and for them. I think many of these guys can play in the league next year or when they get used to the speed of the next level; maybe in two or three years.
Zac ended up with 1,034 yards on the season and nine TDs. He averaged 5.7 yards per carry and 86.2 per game. Jordan Rodgers completed 175-of-294 passes (59.5%) for 2,431 yards and 13 TDs against five ints. Many of those yards and TDs came in the last six games during our winning streak. JRodge was awesome. Jordan Matthews caught 87 passes for 1,262 yards and 7 TDs. Chris Boyd caught 46 balls for 756 and four TDs. The offensive line just kept getting better and better and were exceptional in the last six games. Wesley Johnson, Ryan Seymour, Josh Jelesky, Jake Bernstein and Joe Townsend were awesome. This line has been thin this year as James has tried to keep the redshirts on our six freshmen who he and the coaches are very excited about. The guys who have been playing on the line have been stellar. Chase White has done a good job off the bench. Just a phenomenal job by line coach Herb Hand and his group. Awesome stuff.
Also, Andrew Williamson blocked a punt that Casey Hughes recovered in the end zone for a score and Jonathan Krause peeled off an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown. Andre Hal made another big play recovering a fumble caused by Colt Nichter, and Archibald Barnes picked off a pass. Defense was just swarming. Safety Javon Marshall led the team with eight tackles and Rob Lohr had three tackles for loss.
What else can we do? This season has just been an incredible journey. I know the makeup of these guys though, and they’ll prepare intensely for this bowl game. The seniors want to cement their legacy with a bowl win, the younger guys want to practice the extra 12-15 days to get ready for the bowl game and next year. It’s such an exciting time. Ole Miss had an awesome game on Saturday Night and I heard that four-star running back Mark Dodson may be pretty sold on Ole Miss. But you never know. James has a couple of months to turn Mark. L3 is still out there and we’re not giving up on Jalen Ramsey (five star db) or guys like Trevor Walker, Delando Crooks and other guys to fill those coveted final three or four spots for 2013. We’ll do well closing it out and get ready for a banner 2013 season and then continue our recruiting for the 2014 class. We’re already planning for that and have a few excellent commits already.
Just want to enjoy this though and get ready for our bowl game. Will keep you posted on where we’re going.
Basketball with a great win yesterday over UTEP, 73-49. Moved to 2-3 on the season. Thought we played very well after a couple of tough losses in our first two games of the Old Spice Classic in Orlando. Rod Odom had 16 points and seven boards, Kede Johnson finished with 17 and Kyle Fuller added 14. We were nine-for-19 from three with Rod, Kede and freshman Kevin Bright all sinking two apiece. We got tremendous hustle from guys like Shelby Moats and Sheldon Jeter off the bench. I think Sheldon, a freshman, is going to be an outstanding player for us. Sheldon, who plays small forward, shoots it well and is highly athletic. He’s going to be excellent. Real encouraged with the performance. I think Kevin was too. Play Villanova next Saturday at 4 PM on ESPN2. With the SEC Championship game on at 3, may have to go back and forth on our game, but will watch the replay on E3. If Rod can step up and play the way he’s capable, Kede keeps up his stellar play and Kyle gets it going, the other guys do their jobs, and we finally get Dai-Jon Parker back, we can be a dangerous basketball team. I know I’ve said this, but I like the makeup of this group a lot. A lot of heart and hustle in this bunch. Could be a surprisingly good year and really pumped for ’13-’14.
Jeff Taylor and Fes Ezeli are getting extensive playing time for the Charlotte Bobcats and Golden State Warriors respectively. Proud for Jeff and Fes. Hoping they’ll have lengthy, successful careers. John Jenkins got in four three minutes in the Atlanta Hawks game on Saturday. They’re bringing JJ along slowly. They’ve got a really good team so it may take John a little time to break into the rotation. If JJ can shoot like he’s capable of though, he can play a lot of basketball in the NBA. It’s excellent exposure for recruiting for young high school guys to see our guys playing in the NBA. Hopefully it’ll sway two more four-stars to come our way in the ’13 class. Really like four-star center Damian Jones, our signee this fall. Expect great things from Damian.
Bears played pretty well yesterday. Got really banged up though. Lost five guys in the game due to injury. Cornerback Charles Tillman hurt his ankle, running back Matt Forte had an ankle issue that took him out of the game Two linemen, Lance Louis (maybe our best lineman) and Chris Spencer, left the game with knee injuries. And Devin Hester had a concussion. Still won the game, 28-10. Jay was pretty sharp going 23-of-31 for 188 with one TD and one int. Brandon Marshall had 12 receptions for 92 yards. He’s a machine, though he did drop a touchdown pass later in the game. Defense played a lot better. Still need to keep improving in the passing game. Our receivers need to give Jay some help. Too many dropped balls. Alshon Jeffery is out for a couple more weeks after having his knee scoped, so we need to stay healthy there. Earl had a good game, particularly early, with four catches for 45 yards. Earl really needs to step up his game with Jeffery hurt. Good win though. Play a tough Seattle Seahawks team on Sunday at 1 PM ET/noon CT at Soldier Field. Seahawks have a tremendous defense. Our line, Jay and the receivers will be tested. Would be nice to have Forte back for the running game. Michael Bush does a pretty good job replacing Forte. This will be a very physical game.
Brandt playing in the World Challenge in Thousand Oaks, Caly this week. Should be fun to watch Brandt compete.
Will have more later this week including any commits and more bowl talk.