Tired Commodores conclude 24th straight losing season

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Posted 9:35PM on Monday, November 20, 2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Vanderbilt Commodores learned one very important lesson in 2006, and it wasn't how to adapt to life without Jay Cutler. No, this program found out that playing 12 games in 12 weeks is nearly impossible, and the Commodores are lucky they had enough players to finish their 24th consecutive losing season with a 39-10 loss to Tennessee last weekend. ``Right now, the mind-set is we're beat up and need Thanksgiving break,'' coach Bobby Johnson said. ``It's an important period in their school life, so we've got to concentrate on things they need to do off the field. We've got plenty of time to get back to the weight room.'' Vandy's schedule for 2007 shows the Commodores won't be repeating the mistake. They actually have an open date set for Sept. 22 with eight games at home. But the biggest question facing this program going into the season was how the Commodores would survive after the graduation of Cutler, the 2005 Southeastern Conference player of the year. Even though they finished 4-8, 1-7 in the SEC, Johnson found his quarterback in sophomore Chris Nickson. He ran for a team-best 694 yards, a single-season record for a Vandy quarterback. He also threw for 2,085 yards and is why Vandy ranks seventh in the SEC in passing offense and seventh in total offense. ``I don't feel like we reached our potential this season,'' Nickson said. ``I felt like we had a decent season and had some good wins. I would have liked to do some bigger and better things.'' Johnson also will have receiver Earl Bennett back for his junior season, and he already has 161 career receptions and is the third-leading receiver in I-A with 1,146 yards this season. The Commodores certainly had their chances to become bowl eligible for the first time since 1982. They ended a 49-game skid against ranked teams dating back to 1992 by upsetting then-No. 16 Georgia 24-22, their first on-the-road victory over a ranked opponent since The Associated Press poll started in 1936. That was the best of their four victories. A field goal came up a couple feet short in losing to Arkansas, they outplayed Mississippi only to lose 17-10 and turnovers cost them in a 38-26 loss at Kentucky. They came close in losing to Florida (25-19) and at Alabama (13-10). But that decision to replace a home game with Middle Tennessee to open on the road at Michigan didn't help. The 2007 opener will be much easier. The Commodores host Division I-AA Richmond on Sept. 1. Vanderbilt is hoping the NCAA gives All-SEC left tackle Brian Stamper a redshirt season after he was lost for the season with a back injury that required surgery. Injuries on the offensive line forced coaches to play redshirt freshmen like Thomas Welch and Ryan Custer significantly. The defense wasn't immune to the injuries either, and sophomore Jared Fagan had to start against Tennessee. The Commodores ranked 74th in total defense allowing 352.42 yards per game after giving up 429 yards to the Vols. ``We had a lot of guys playing injured and a lot of the younger guys trying to step up, but that's no excuse,'' linebacker Kevin Joyce said. The Commodores missed out on their chance to string together consecutive five-win seasons for the first time since 1974 and 1975. Recruiting should remain strong since they proved their win over Tennessee in 2005 was no fluke, and the pressure to finish with a winning record is only building as Johnson heads into his sixth season. ``We've got a good core coming back,'' Johnson said.