2008 Vanderbilt Commodores - Recruiting Class

Vanderbilt Commodores 2008 Head Coach: Bobby Johnson

Vanderbilt Commodores

2008 Recruiting Class

Star of the Class
Tristan Strong LB 6-1 220 Loganville, Ga. Grayson H.S.
HIGH SCHOOL Senior captain, helping squad to 10-3 overall record and appearance in Georgia AAAAA state quarterfinals... Two-year starter at LB; three-year letterwinner... As senior, posted 46 total tackles, 31 solo stops, three QB sacks and a pair of INTs... Recovered fumble for TD... Returned two punts for 14.5-yard average... In 2006, squad went 6-6, advancing to first round of playoffs... As junior, contributed 51 total tackles, seven sacks, 11 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a blocked kick... Named to first team 5A All-State squad and All-Gwinnett County team... Two-time All-Region pick... Played in recent Georgia North-South All-Star Game... Played two years of varsity basketball... Honors student recognized as one of school's top scholar-athletes.
PERSONAL Tristan Julio Strong... Son of Julio and Jody Strong... Born on Nov. 10, 1989... Dad is an electrician; mom is a florist... Two uncles, Tami Tarbush and Ricky Payne, played football at South Carolina; another uncle, Rod Cole, played basketball at Georgia.
GRAYSON HEAD COACH MICKEY CONN
"Vanderbilt is getting a real classy individual with Tristan Strong. He's a guy that's involved in student leadership, his academics are great, and he's going to give you all he's got on the field. He's a fast kid, a real natural athlete that is really put together physically. Plus, Tristan has been just a great leader for our squad."He's an extremely versatile football player. He's a presence on the field. We ran a 3-4 scheme defensively with Tristan playing outside linebacker. Most teams just tried to go the other way, away from him. That limited his production."

Potential Instant Impact Players

DeAndre Jones LB 6-0 220 Memphis, Tenn. Memphis University School
Senior captain... Earned four varsity letters, starting two years at strong safety before moving to WLB as senior... Finalist for Division II-AA Mr. Football Lineman of the Year as senior... All-State selection and the (Nashville) Tennessean's "Dream Team" member... Finalist for region's top defensive player after anchoring 2007 defense with a conference-high 76 solo tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, eight QB sacks, two forced fumbles and an INT... Helped MUS to 7-4 record and first round of state playoffs in senior year, earning team's Roberts MVP Award... Helped Owls to state Division II titles in 2004-05... Finished career with 203 total tackles and 38 tackles for loss... Throws shot put and discus... National Honor Society member.

Al Owens DB 6-2 198 Springtown, Texas Springtown H.S.
Senior captain for Porcupines... Three-year starter in defensive secondary for school located just west of Fort Worth... Also started as TB and kickoff returner for 2007 squad that advanced to first round of AAAA playoffs... As senior, contributed 58 total tackles, five tackles for loss, one INT and three forced fumbles... Returned one fumble for defensive TD... As TB, ran for 294 yards and two TDs on just 37 carries and caught 12 passes for 198 yards and a TD... Named 4A third team All-State and first team All-District 6-4A as DB... As junior, collected 80 tackles, two INTs and five tackles for loss... Also returned two kickoffs for TDs in 2006... Finished career with more than 200 tackles, four INTs and five fumble recoveries... As two-time regional qualifying sprinter in track, PRs include 10.9 (100 meters) and 22.13 (200 meters)... National Honor Society member, and academic All-District recipient in football and track.

Rest of the Class
Archie Barnes ATH 6-4 210 Tampa, Fla. Berkeley Prep
Michael Bryant OL 6-4 294 La Vergne, Tenn. La Vergne H.S.
John Burrow DE 6-4 222 Morris, Ala. Mortimer Jordan H.S.
Richard Cagle OL 6-4 272 Houston, Texas St. Pius X H.S.
John Cole WR 5-11 170 Somerset, Ky. Somerset H.S.
Dexter Daniels LB 6-1 210 Brantley, Ala. Brantley H.S.
Akeem Dunham WR 6-3 180 Eustis, Fla. Eustis H.S.
Ryan Fowler PK 5-10 160 Taylors, S.C. Eastside H.S.
Casey Hayward DB 6-0 175 Elko, Ga. Perry H.S.
Josh Jelesky DE 6-5 234 Naperville, Ill. Naperville Central H.S.
Taylor Loftley DL 6-2 250 Chamblee, Ga. Chamblee H.S.
Rob Lohr DE 6-4 245 Phoenixville, Pa. Phoenixville H.S.
Colt Nichter DT 6-2 272 Park City, Utah Park City H.S.
Micah Powell DB 6-0 192 Tarpon Springs, Fla. East Lake H.S.
Sean Richardson DB 6-2 180 Linden, Ala. Linden H.S.
Ryan Seymour DT 6-4 250 Kingsland, Ga. Camden Co. H.S.
Johnell Thomas DL 6-2 240 Orlando, Fla. Boone H.S.
Caleb Welchans OL 6-5 265 Wildwood, Mo. Lafayette H.S.

- 2007 Vandy Season
- 2007 Vandy Preview
- 2006 Vandy Season

2007 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 6-6
2007 Record: 5-7

Sept. 1 Richmond W 41-17
Sept. 8 Alabama L 24-13
Sept. 15 Ole Miss W 31-17
Sept. 29 Eastern Mich W 30-7
Oct. 6 at Auburn L 35-7
Oct. 13 Georgia L 20-17
Oct. 20 at South Carolina W 17-6
Oct. 27 Miami Univ. W 24-13
Nov. 3 at Florida L 49-22
Nov. 10 Kentucky L 27-20
Nov. 17 at Tennessee L 25-24
Nov. 24 Wake Forest L 31-17

2008 Early Lookahead
Why to get excited: The quarterback situation is excellent with Mackenzi Adams and Chris Nickson two strong, veteran options who can each keep defensive coordinators up at night. The defense finished 16th in the nation and was tremendous against the pass. Everyone returns to the secondary, led by top corner D.J. Moore and big hitting safety Reshard Langford, and the team's two best pass rushers, DE Broderick Stewart and LB Patrick Benoist, are back.
Why to be grouchy: The window might have slammed shut. Vandy should've been able to get to a bowl game in each of the last two seasons, didn't, and now it's rebuilding time with all five starters gone off the offensive line, top linebackers Jonathan Goff and Marcus Buggs gone off the defense, and all-star receiver Earl Bennett leaving early for the NFL. The rest of the SEC East, outside of Kentucky, appears to be better, while Vandy has gotten a lot worse.
The number one thing to work on is: Throwing the ball. Good luck. Again, Adams and Nickson can play, but they can't do it all on their own. The passing attack only averaged 176 yards per game, and things aren't going to get much better with Bennett gone. George Smith has to step up and become a number one go-to guy on the inside, while Justin Wheeler has to do more on the outside.
Biggest offensive loss: WR Earl Bennett
Biggest defensive loss: LB Jonathan Goff
Best returning offensive player: QB MacKenzi Adams, Jr.
Best returning defensive player: CB D.J. Moore, Jr.

2007 Recap
Recap: It has almost become painful watching Vanderbilt try to get over the hump, and back to the postseason for the first time in a quarter-century.  For the third consecutive year, the Commodores entered November within striking distance of bowl eligibility, only to lose their final four games.  Although moral victories alone won’t end the bowl drought, the days of Vandy being an automatic lay up for the rest of the SEC ended a couple of years ago.            

Offensive Player of the Year: WR Earl Bennett

Defensive Player of the Year: LB Jonathan Goff

Biggest Surprise: On Oct. 20, the ‘Dores traveled to Columbia, and sucked the air out of No. 6 South Carolina, 17-6.  QB Mackenzi Adams delivered one of his most efficient efforts of the season, but it was the play of the suffocating Vandy defense that sparked the school’s lone signature moment of 2007.    

Biggest Disappointment: Blowing a 15-point, fourth-quarter lead to rival Tennessee in a game that would have secured bowl eligibility for Vanderbilt.  The Commodores out played the Volunteers for most of the game, and could have won on a last-minute, but fell short, 25-24, in an excruciating microcosm of their inability to pull out close games in the waning moments.   

Looking Ahead: The talent level continues to improve in Nashville, and head coach Bobby Johnson is a nice fit for a small, private institution that isn’t obsessed with its athletic programs.  There are enough returning regulars for Vanderbilt to be in the hunt for a 13^th game again in 2008, but to get to the next level, it has to start winning a game or two in November.

Nov. 24
Wake Forest 31 ... Vanderbilt 17
Vanderbilt had its chances to become bowl eligible, but turned it over five times with Alphonso Smith killing two drives with interceptions. The Demon Deacons held a 31-3 lead going into the fourth quarter helped by Josh Adams touchdown runs from 14 and 12 yards out, and two Riley Skinner touchdown passes. Vandy tried to comeback with two fourth quarter touchdown passes from Richard Kovalcheck, but they weren't nearly enough. The Commodores outgained the Demon Deacons 349 yards to 296.
Player of the game: Wake Forest RB Josh Adams ran 24 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns.
Stat Leaders: Wake Forest - Passing: Riley Skinner, 21-31, 146 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Josh Adams, 24-111, 2 TD. Receiving: Kenneth Moore, 9-39
Vanderbilt - Passing: Richard Kovalcheck, 23-38, 269 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Cassen Jackson-Garrison, 12-11. Receiving: Earl Bennett, 6-65, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Vandy had four shots at becoming bowl eligible and couldn't get it done. While the close losses to Kentucky and Florida had to have been frustrating, the loss to Wake Forest had to be the toughest to swallow with the way the offense kept turning the ball over despite having several chances to stay alive. The running game was non-existent and Mackenzi Adams was way off, but Richard Kovalcheck came in late to make a desperation run; he wasn't bad. To finally get over that hump next year, the defense has to be able to come up with more stops in key situations while the offense has to be more consistent.

Nov. 17
Tennessee 25 ... Vanderbilt 24
Tennessee's Daniel Lincoln connected on a 33-yard field goal with 2:46 to play for a lead, and then the Vols had to hang on as Bryant Hahnfeldt just missed a 49-yard field goal attempt with 33 seconds to play. The Commodores got up 24-9 on three Mackenzi Adams touchdown passes, but the Vols roared back in the fourth quarter on 16 unanswered points with Erik Ainge connecting with Josh Briscoe for a seven-yard touchdown and with Austin Rogers from five yards out. Vandy only came up with 270 yards of total offense to Tennessee's 350.
Player of the game: Tennessee LB Jerod Mayo made 15 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss.
Stat Leaders: Vanderbilt - Passing: Mackenzi Adams, 14-26, 139 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Cassen Jackson-Garrison, 17-83. Receiving: Alex Washington. 3-45
Tennessee - Passing: Erik Ainge, 29-43, 245 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Arian Foster, 19-106. Receiving: Lucas Taylor, 9-90. 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... How many more times will Vanderbilt get its heart broken? It's had its chances to pull off wins to get bowl eligible under Bobby Johnson, but something always seems to go wrong when the team needs that one big play to pull off a key win. The defense couldn't hang on in the fourth quarter, while the offense never got anything going after Mackenzi Adams had a terrific first half. After losing three straight, a win over Wake Forest is a must to get the magical sixth win.

Nov. 10
Kentucky 27 ... Vanderbilt 20
In an ugly game with 21 penalties, 13 from Kentucky, Kentucky took the lead with just under six minutes to play on a four-yard Derrick Lock run, and held on. Vanderbilt got a one-yard touchdown run from Mackenzi Adams and two touchdown passes, but misfired on fourth and six on the UK 20 in the final few seconds to let the Cats hold on. Andre Woodson connected with Steve Johnson for a second quarter touchdown and Maurice Grinter ran for a one-yard score for the Cats.
Player of the game: Kentucky's Calvin Harrison made ten tackles and a tackle for loss
Stat Leaders: Vanderbilt - Passing: Mackenzi Adams, 20-31, 193 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Cassen Jackson-Garrison, 11-83. Receiving: Earl Bennett, 8-69
Kentucky - Passing: Andre Woodson, 17-28, 222 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Rafael Little, 15-70. Receiving: Jacob Tamme, 4-50
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Vandy didn't get Kentucky's best game, but the Commodore D had a lot to do with that. The offense did just enough to stay in the game, but not enough at the end, and now Vandy needs to battle to get that sixth win for bowl eligibility. More deep plays from the passing game will be a must to have a shot against Tennessee, and it needs to be perfect, without the turnovers and penalties there were this week, to beat Wake Forest.

Nov. 3
Florida 49 ... Vanderbilt 22
Florida jumped out to an early lead on the first of two one-yard Tim Tebow touchdown runs, and an 18-yard Percy Harvin dash for a score. Vandy pulled within seven on the first of two one-yard Mackenzi Adams scoring runs, and then the Gators ended it with a 21-point second quarter run on three Tebow touchdown passes with two to Andre Caldwell. Harvin later added a 13-yard touchdown run to make it a route. Florida cranked out 498 yards of total offense, while Tebow set the SEC record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a season with 14.
Player of the game: Florida WR Percy Harvin ran 11 times for 113 yards and two touchdowns, and caught nine passes for 110 yards.
Stat Leaders: Vanderbilt - Passing: Mackenzi Adams, 16-32, 159 yds
Rushing: Jeff Jennings, 6-37. Receiving: Earl Bennett, 5-31
Florida - Passing: Tim Tebow, 22-27, 281 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Percy Harvin, 11-113, 2 TD. Receiving: Percy Harvin, 9-110
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... This isn't a team built on having to make big comebacks, and after getting down so quickly to Florida, there wasn't any chance to establish the run over the course of the game, and there wasn't enough pop to the passing game to make a comeback. Mackenzi Adams was decent, but nothing spectacular, and to hang on to the job for the rest of the year, he'll have to get the ball downfield more. Keeping the chains moving will be a must against a rested Kentucky.

Oct. 27
Vanderbilt 24 ... Miami University 13
On a day when Earl Bennett became the SEC's all-time leader in receptions, it was the Vandy running game that beat Miami with 290 yards to 26. The RedHawks held a first half 10-7 lead on a 40-yard Jamal Rogers catch, but the Commodore defense controlled things the rest of the way, while Chris Nickson and Cassen Jackson-Garrison each ran for scores. Vandy outgained MU 411 yards to 238.
Player of the game: Vanderbilt LB Jonathan Goff made 11 tackles with two tackles for loss and a sack
Stat Leaders: Miami University - Passing: Daniel Raudabaugh, 18-37, 212 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Austin Sykes, 10-49. Receiving: Eugene Harris, 4-54
Vanderbilt - Passing: Mackenzi Adams, 9-14, 108 yds
Rushing: Cassen Jackson-Garrison, 14-75, 1 TD. Receiving: Earl Bennett, 8-85
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... It wasn't exactly the performance the team wanted after beating South Carolina, but Jonathan Goff and the defense never let Miami have much of a chance in the second half to be a threat. There were three fumbles and an interception, but the Commodore offense worked well on the ground and did what it needed to do to keep the chains moving, particularly in the fourth quarter. In the end, the day belonged to Earl Bennett, who now has 215 career catches to be the SEC's all-time leading receiver. He's a special talent who'll start to get more and more recognition. Finally.

Oct. 20
Vanderbilt 17 ... South Carolina 6
Vanderbilt came up with seven sacks and held USC to 26 net rushing yards in one of the shocking wins of the SEC season. The Commodores got all their points in the first quarter with Mackenzi Adams touchdown passes to George Smith from 22 yards out and Justin Wheeler from 20 yards out, to go along with a 32-yard Bryan Hahnfeldt field goal. South Carolina managed two Ryan Succop field goals in the second quarter, and that was it. The Gamecocks turned it over four times.
Player of the game: Vanderbilt CB D.J. Moore led the team with eight tackles with two interceptions and a broken up pass.
Stat Leaders: South Carolina - Passing: Chris Smelley, 14-24, 154 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: Cory Boyd, 5-49. Receiving: Cory Boyd, 5-55
Vanderbilt - Passing: Mackenzi Adams, 8-16, 123 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Mackenzi Adams, 13-84. Receiving: George Smith, 3-53, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The South Carolina offense wasn't exactly sharp, but the Vandy defense had a lot to do with that, getting into the backfield from the word go and getting four key turnovers. Mackenzi Adams was the main man at quarterback in place of Chris Nickson, and while he wasn't amazing, he outplayed the USC passers, especially with his legs rushing for 84 yards. Now a bowl game is a must with a few winnable games ahead. They only need two.

Oct. 13
Georgia 20 ... Vanderbilt 17
Brandon Coutu nailed a 37-yard field goal as time ran out to complete a fourth quarter comeback to give the Bulldogs the win. Coutu also hit a 31-yard shot to tie it up with 6:12 to play, but Vanderbilt had a shot late getting down to the Bulldog 18, but Cassen Jackson-Garrison lost a fumble, sparking the final UGA drive. The Commodores took a 17-7 lead into halftime on a 15-yard Sean Walker touchdown run and a phenomenal 16-yard acrobatic catch. The Bulldogs outscored Vandy 13-0 in the second half.
Player of the game: Georgia RB Knowshown Moreno ran 28 times for 157 yards and caught two passes for 18 yards.
Stat Leaders: Georgia - Passing: Matthew Stafford, 16-31, 201 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Knowshon Moreno, 28-157. Receiving: Tony Wilson, 4-57
Vanderbilt - Passing: Mackenzi Adams, 7-10, 125 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: D.J. Moore, 2-48. Receiving: Earl Bennett, 3-31
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Vanderbilt played well on defense against Georgia, and the offense got a little bit of balance, but two key fumbles, and a lack of a big defensive stop late, proved to be too much to overcome. Even so, there's a lot to build on after responding well from a blowout loss at Auburn, with Jonathan Goff having a terrific game tackling everything in sight, while the running game got plenty of help from a variety of sources. Now it's time to pull off a shocker, and if the defense can play at South Carolina like it played against Georgia, it might be able to do it.

Oct. 6
Auburn 35 ... Vanderbilt 7
Auburn rolled with ease, getting up 35-0 before Vanderbilt finally got on the board with a one-yard Cassen Jackson-Garrison touchdown run in the final five minutes. Brad Lester scored from 17 and five yards out, and Ben Tate and Mario Fannin each added touchdown runs helping the Tigers run for 253 yards. Brandon Cox added a two-yard scoring pass to Rod Smith late in the first quarter. Vandy only converted three of 13 third down chances.
Player of the game: Auburn QB Brandon Cox completed 14 of 17 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown with an interception
Stat Leaders: Vanderbilt - Passing: Chris Nickson, 5-16, 38 yds
Rushing: Cassen Jackson-Garrison, 13-45, 1 TD. Receiving: Earl Bennett, 4-31
Auburn - Passing: Brandon Cox, 14-17, 165 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Ben Tate, 9-96, 1 TD. Receiving: Mario Fannin, 3-26
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Vandy has to win all the games they're supposed to if it wants to stay in the bowl hunt, and Auburn wasn't one of those games. However, there has to be more against the better teams at this point. The offense didn't do anything in the passing game, and the defense didn't have a prayer against a Tiger ground game that ripped off yards in chunks. Auburn was able to get a big-yard play when it wanted to, and Vanderbilt didn't. Completing 12 of 31 passes won't work against anyone in the SEC.

Sept. 29
Vanderbilt 30 ... Eastern Michigan 7
Vanderbilt got up 20-0, highlighted by a 47-yard Earl Bennett touchdown grab. Sean Walker scored from 17 yards out, and Bryant Hahnfeldt nailed three field goals. But the game was won on defense, as the Commodores forced six turnovers, with D.J. Moore taking a pick 24 yards for a touchdown. EMU got its only points on a 14-yard Travis Lewis catch in the third.
Player of the game: Vanderbilt WR Earl Bennett made nine catches for 93 yards and a touchdown.
Stat Leaders: Eastern Michigan - Passing: Andy Schmitt, 13-24, 111 yds, 1 TD, 4 INT
Rushing: Pierre Walker, 13-34. Receiving: Ken Bohnet, 4-39
Vanderbilt - Passing: Chris Nickson, 14-28, 168 yds, 2 TD, 4 INT
Rushing: Cassen Jackson-Garrison, 23-76. Receiving: Earl Bennett, 9-93, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... It's great for Vanderbilt to be at a point where it not only expects to beat a team like Eastern Michigan, it expects to win in a blowout. The defense did its part, forcing six turnovers and holding the Eagles to 173 yards of total offense, but to beat Auburn, Georgia, or South Carolina over the next three weeks, the turnovers have to stop. Chris Nickson threw four interceptions, and while there weren't any lost fumbles, the ball was put on the ground four times.

Sept. 15
Vanderbilt 31 ... Ole Miss 17
Vanderbilt got three short touchdown runs from Cassen Jackson-Garrison, and Chris Nickson added a three yard scoring dash in the win. Ole Miss never got the ground game going, being held to 54 net yards rushing, but managed to stay in the game on Mike Wallace touchdown catches from 36 and 54 yards out. Up only seven, Vandy forced Ole Miss to go for it on fourth down from its own 21, but Brent Schaeffer was sacked, and the two plays later, Jackson-Garrison ran seven yards for a score to put the game away. The Commodores sacked Ole Miss quarterbacks six times.
Player of the game: Vanderbilt RB Cassen Jackson-Garrison ran for 119 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries, and had a reception for nine yards.
Stat Leaders: Ole Miss - Passing: Seth Adams, 10-17, 154 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: BenJarvus Green-Ellis, 21-66. Receiving: Mike Wallace, 4-139, 2 TDs
Vanderbilt - Passing: Chris Nickson, 17-25, 200 yds
Rushing: Cassen Jackson-Garrison, 23-119, 3 TDs. Receiving: Earl Bennett, 11-100
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... It's stunning how close the win over Ole Miss was considering how Vanderbilt dominated. The running game wasn't explosive, but it was effective enough, while the defense held the Rebels to just 54 rushing yards, generated six sacks, and made stops time and again on third and fourth downs. Still, the Rebels were in the game late, basically because Vandy doesn't appear to know how to put teams away quite yet. Even so, an SEC win is an SEC win, and it was one the team desperately needed to have any hope of going to a bowl.

Sept. 8
Alabama 24 ... Vanderbilt 10
Terry Grant ran for a one-yard score off a big punt return, Leigh Tiffin kicked three field goals, and Alabama coasted. A two-yard Grant scoring run early in the fourth made it 24-3 before Vandy finally got in the end zone on a 15-yard George Smith catch. The Commodores managed just 57 yards rushing, but got a nice day defensively from corner D.J. Moore, who made 13 tackles and broke up two passes.
Player of the game: Alabama RB Terry Grant ran for 173 yards and two scores on 24 carries, while catching three passes for 26 yards.
Stat Leaders: Alabama - Passing: John Parker Wilson, 14-28, 150 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Terry Grant, 24-173, 2 TDs. Receiving: DJ Hall, 3-67
Vanderbilt - Passing: Mackenzi Adams, 13-23, 108 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Cassen Jackson-Garrison, 6-32. Receiving: Earl Bennett, 4-52
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The offense has a problem. Chris Nickson is supposed to be the star who emerges and carries the attack against teams like Alabama, but he was off, completing five of 18 passes for 67 yards with an interception and not getting any room to run, before giving way to Mackenzi Adams. There wasn't much of a ground game against Richmond, and there were only 57 yards this week. A second receiver has to emerge to take the heat off Earl Bennett, and Cassen Jackson-Garrison and Jeff Jennings have to start adding a threat of a running attack in a big hurry.

Sept. 1
Vanderbilt 41 ... Richmond 17
Richmond opened the scoring with a 22-yard Andrew Howard field goal, and then Vanderbilt took over with a 31-7 run thanks to three Earl Bennett touchdown catches from 15, one and 49 yards out and a four-yard Jeff Jennings scoring run. Richmond got an 11-yard Tim Hightower touchdown run and answered a 22-yard Vandy field goal with a 93-yard Justin Rogers kickoff return for a score, but it wasn't nearly enough as the Commodores pulled away in the fourth quarter on a three-yard Jennings scoring grab.
Player of the game ... Vanderbilt WR Earl Bennett caught 13 passes for 223 yards and three touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Richmond - Passing: Eric Ward, 18-29, 161 yds, 3 INT
Rushing: Tim Hightower, 14-73, 1 TD  Receiving: Arman Shields, 12-107
Vanderbilt - Passing: Chris Nickson, 19-25, 284 yds, 4 TD
Rushing: Jeff Jennings, 11-67, 1 TD   Receiving: Earl Bennett, 13-223, 3 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... With Alabama on deck, Vandy needed to get the ground game going against Richmond, and it did with 162 yards, and had to get Earl Bennett and Chris Nickson warmed up, and they did. Bennett was unstoppable with 13 catches and three touchdowns, while Nickson was ultra-efficient and never let the Spiders get into the game after the second quarter. The defense could've been a bit stronger against the run, but this was a great opening day performance.