2011 Vanderbilt Commodores football team

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.

2011 Vanderbilt Commodores football
Liberty Bowl, L 24–31 vs. Cincinnati
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Division	Eastern Division
2011 record	6–7 (2–6 SEC)
Head coach	James Franklin (1st year)
Offensive coordinator	John Donovan (1st year)
Offensive scheme	Multiple
Defensive coordinator	Bob Shoop (1st year)
Base defense	4–3
Captain	5 Kyle Fischer Casey Hayward Chris Marve Larry Smith Carey Spear
Home stadium	Vanderbilt Stadium (Capacity: 39,773)

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 Rankings from AP Poll

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

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 3	6:30 p.m.	Elon*	Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN	CSS	W 45–14	27,599
September 10	6:30 p.m.	Connecticut*	Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN	CSS	W 24–21	32,119
September 17	11:21 a.m.	Ole Miss	Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN (rivalry)	SECN	W 30–7	34,579
September 24	6:00 p.m.	at No. 12 South Carolina	Williams-Brice Stadium Columbia, SC	ESPN2	L 3–21	77,015
October 8	6:00 p.m.	at No. 2 Alabama	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL	ESPNU	L 0–34	101,821
October 15	6:00 p.m.	Georgia	Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN (rivalry)	FS South	L 28–33	36,640
October 22	6:00 p.m.	Army*	Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN	ESPNU	W 44–21	32,210
October 29	11:21 a.m.	No. 8 Arkansas	Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN	SECN	L 28–31	33,247
November 5	11:21 a.m.	at Florida	Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL	SECN	L 21–26	90,144
November 12	11:21 a.m.	Kentucky	Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN (rivalry)	SECN	W 38–8	33,718
November 19	6:00 p.m.	at Tennessee	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN (rivalry)	ESPNU	L 21–27 ^OT	91,367
November 26	2:30 p.m.	at Wake Forest*	BB&T Field Winston-Salem, NC	ESPNU	W 41–7	28,020
December 31	2:30 p.m.	vs. Cincinnati*	Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN (Liberty Bowl)	ABC	L 24–31	57,103
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

Coaching staff

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
Ricky Rahne	Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach	1st
Michael Hazel	Director of Football Operations	3rd
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

Elon

See also: 2011 Elon Phoenix football team

This game marked the first meeting between these schools.

1 2 3 4 Total Elon 0 7 7 0 14 • Vanderbilt 7 14 3 21 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

See also: 2011 Connecticut Huskies football team

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 2 3 4 Total Connecticut 3 0 10 8 21 • Vanderbilt 14 0 0 10 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

See also: 2011 Ole Miss Rebels football team

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 2 3 4 Total Mississippi 0 0 0 7 7 • Vanderbilt 0 21 9 0 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

See also: 2011 South Carolina Gamecocks football team

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 2 3 4 Total Vanderbilt 3 0 0 0 3 • #12 South Carolina 0 14 7 0 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

See also: 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

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 2 3 4 Total Vanderbilt 0 0 0 0 0 • #2 Alabama 7 7 13 7 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

See also: 2011 Georgia Bulldogs football team

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 2 3 4 Total • Georgia 0 20 6 7 33 Vanderbilt 0 7 14 7 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

See also: 2011 Army Black Knights football team

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 2 3 4 Total Army 6 0 8 7 21 • Vanderbilt 13 10 14 7 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)

Scoring summary 1 10:48 VAN Zac Stacy 1-yard run (Carey Spear kick) VAN 7-0 1 10:03 VAN Chris Boyd 43-yard pass from Jordan Rodgers (kick failed) VAN 13-0 1 6:05 ARMY Malcolm Brown 6-yard run (kick failed) VAN 13-6 2 4:49 VAN Jordan Rodgers 12-yard run (Carey Spear kick) VAN 20-6 2 0:37 VAN Carey Spear 37-yard field goal VAN 23-6 3 6:39 VAN Jerron Seymour 5-yard run (Carey Spear kick) VAN 30-6 3 5:39 VAN Zac Stacy 8-yard run (Carey Spear kick) VAN 37-6 3 1:39 ARMY Angel Santiago 1-yard run (Angel Santiago to Larry Dixon pass) VAN 37-14 4 11:52 ARMY Geoffrey Bacon 70-yard interception return (Alex Carlton kick) VAN 37-21 4 6:38 VAN Zac Stacy 55-yard run (Ryan Fowler kick) VAN 44-21

[11]

Arkansas

See also: 2011 Arkansas Razorbacks football team

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 2 3 4 Total • #8 Arkansas 7 7 6 11 31 Vanderbilt 7 14 7 0 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

See also: 2011 Florida Gators football team

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 2 3 4 Total Vanderbilt 0 0 7 14 21 • Florida 0 17 3 6 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

See also: 2011 Kentucky Wildcats football team

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 2 3 4 Total Kentucky 0 0 8 0 8 • Vanderbilt 7 17 7 7 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

See also: 2011 Tennessee Volunteers football team

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 2 3 4 OT Total Vanderbilt 0 7 7 7 0 21 • Tennessee 7 7 0 7 6 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

See also: 2011 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team

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 2 3 4 Total • Vanderbilt 6 21 7 7 41 Wake Forest 0 7 0 0 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

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

See also: 2011 Cincinnati Bearcats football team and 2011 Liberty Bowl

Liberty Bowl

1 2 3 4 Total Vanderbilt 7 0 7 10 24 • Cincinnati 0 14 0 17 31 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. 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. http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/vand-m-footbl-mtt.html