Commodores getting beaten in the trenches
Vanderbilt sailed through the first two weeks of the regular season, giving up seven points to Middle Tennessee State and 10 to Nevada. While neither is a Power Five opponent, both are capable of putting up points against many Power Five defenses.
But neither team features a potent, physical running attack. Vanderbilt gave up 3.2 and 1.2 yards per carry against MTSU and Nevada, respectively.
It was a different story with Notre Dame (5.1 per carry) and South Carolina (5.7), which combined to rush for 518 yards the last two weeks.
At Tuesday’s press conference, Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason and players talked often about how the Commodores can fix things with more attention to detail
“These guys are attacking the ball,” Mason said on Tuesday. “We just have to clean up some other things on the defensive side of the ball, and we’ll be okay.”
“Across the field, we have to do better, be more consistent in our tackling, doing our fits and doing the things our coaches are asking us to do,” outside linebacker Josh Smith said.
While Mason and players seemed confident they’ll find the fix, that script was too familiar last year, when VU gave up 5.9 yards per rushing attempt in its nine games against Power Five opponents.
The Commodores also had offensive line issues the last two weeks and limped to 284 yards vs. Carolina. Left guard Cole Clemens was replaced by last year’s starter, Saige Young, for about half of the Notre Dame game. Starting center Egidio DellaRipa struggled against Notre Dame, and after sub-par play against the Gamecocks, Mason moved right guard Bruno Reagan, last year’s starting center, back to his old spot and installed Sean McMoore at guard.
“We got back and watched the film,” Reagan said, “and it’s not what we want to see on our product. We’re playing a lot of 10-man football, which is an offensive sin.”
If the Commodores are planning any changes there, it’s not evident in this week’s depth chart, which lists the same starting five — that also includes left tackle Justin Skule and Devin Cochran at right tackle — that VU has started all year. Young was listed after Clemens as a co-starter at left guard, however, the Commodores generally start the player listed first.
“We have the five, it’s just about consistency,” Mason said.