Video: Music City Bowl Ceremony

By Barca Blog - If you weren't able to attend the basketball game last night, then watch the video below of the halftime ceremony honoring the 2008 Music City Bowl Champions. I'm already fired up about next season.

More Music City Bowl Highlights

I could watch these clips over and over and over again. They just never get old.

Music City Bowl Desktop Wallpaper

Download new desktop wallpaper celebrating the Commodores' 16-14 win over Boston College in the 2008 Music City Bowl. Click Here!

SEC-TV to countdown top bowl moments

In this week's episode of SEC-TV, co-hosts Dave Neal and Natalie Taylor will count down the SEC’s top five SEC bowl moments, including:

-LSU wins Chick-fil-A Bowl; Ole Miss wins AT&T Cotton Bowl
- Kentucky wins the AllState Liberty Bowl
-Georgia wins the Capital One Bowl
-Vanderbilt wins the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl
-Florida wins the BCS National Championship

Catch the show on the following dates and times:

Thursday, January 15 at 5:30 p.m. CT
FOX Sports South
FOX Sports Carolinas
FOX Sports Tennessee

Friday, January 16 at 8:30 a.m. CT
SportSouth

Pre-Order March to Music City DVD

Vanderbilt's first bowl victory in 53 years capped off a historic season for Head Coach Bobby Johnson and the Commodores! Re-live the magical moments from the 2008 season including the 5-0 start, national ranking, ESPN College Game Day on campus, and the thrilling win over Boston College in the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl. Catch exclusive interviews, behind the scenes footage, game highlights, radio calls, and bowl events of this memorable season. "March to Music City" is a keepsake for all Vanderbilt fans....Go Dores!

CLICK HERE to pre-order your copy now. Starts shipping in late January 2009!

Remembering Music City Bowl Magic

Stop whatever you're doing and watch this five-minute video courtesy of Vanderbilt News Service Video Productions.

They did a wonderful job of chronicling just what the Music City Bowl victory meant to us all.

What a day it was!

Enjoy!

Richardson relishes moment

Freshman Sean Richardson scored Vanderbilt's only touchdown of the Music City Bowl, a serendipitous play that will forever live in the chapters of Commodore history.

With Vanderbilt trailing 7-6 in the third quarter, Brett Upson's punt bounced off the knee of Boston College's Paul Anderson, causing a scramble for the ball that ended with Richardson getting his first collegiate touchdown.

“It was a great moment,” Richardson told the Demopolis Times. “I just knew it was a touchdown because I saw the ball hit the opponent. As the referees were going over what really happened, I heard them say ‘touchdown.’”

Richardson was one of three true freshmen to see action this season (along with Casey Hayward and John Cole). He played second team strong safety in every game and also contributed on special teams, earning Specialist of the Week honors following Florida and Kentucky games for effort on coverage units.

Richardson should compete for the starting strong safety job in the spring with the graduation of Reshard Langford.

Read more on Richardson in today's edition of the Demopolis Times.

More Bowl Reaction

Thanks to some footage provided by Vanderbilt News Service Video Productions, we have some on-the-field reaction from head coach Bobby Johnson, wide receiver George Smith and tailback Gaston Miller following the Commodores' Music City Bowl victory.

Check out the video below:



Visit our Athletics YouTube page for more clips - Click Here

Replay of Bowl Game on CSS Right Now

If you have CSS, turn on the tube and watch a replay of Vanderbilt's exciting 16-14 win over Boston College. The broadcast started at 11:30 a.m. CT.

Oh, what a feeling

One of the special things about yesterday's game is that so many die-hard fans, who have waited a lifetime for a bowl victory, were finally rewarded.

Like Daniel Stockton.

I've known Daniel since I was hired at Vanderbilt in 2003. Through good times and bad, he's been a loyal supporter of the program and always had faith in the Commodores.

And I know there are more of you out there like him. Congratulations to all of you and thank you for supporting the best student-athletes in the country.

Daniel posted a video of the final minute of celebration from section 207 at LP Field. It will definitely give you chills.

If you have a fan video from the game, let me know, and I'll put it in the blog.

Music City Bowl Championship Gear

Celebrate the Commodores victory in the 2008 Music City Bowl with this short sleeve championship t-shirt.

CLICK HERE to order merchandise from the Vanderbilt Bookstore.

Sweet Victory!

After watching the previous video, it made me think of Spongebob's "Sweet Victory" song.

Amazing, simply amazing.

(Oh, Patrick's performance on the drums stands right up there with Keith Moon.)

Music City Bowl Video Highlights

Watch ESPN Gameday's highlights (below) of Vanderbilt's bowl win plus the crew talks about D.J. Moore's announcement to enter the NFL Draft.

Thursday's Bowl Articles

Read Thursday's news articles on Vanderbilt's victory over Boston College in the Music City Bowl.

The Tennessean
Hahnfeldt hits the kick
Vanderbilt hears musical cheers
VU finishes 2008 as a winner
Moore says he will go pro now
Freshman gives spark
VU benefited from late penalties
Music City Bowl report card

Nashville City Paper
Vanderbilt rallies for 16-14 victory
Special teams play a big part
Moore says he's headed to NFL
Quarterback combo works ... sort of

The Associated Press
Vanderbilt gets 1st bowl win

The Jackson Sun
Everything Vanderbilt-like
Lewis' INT seals historic win

The Leaf Chronicle
Kicker, punter made difference

Chattanooga Times Free Press
Vanderbilt makes a statement

The Champ is Here

Bowl Final: Vanderbilt 16, Boston College 14

Here are some postgame football links definitely worth checking out:

*John Russell's outstanding game photos of the Music City Bowl Champions - Click Here.

*Send a message to the team by submiting comments here.

*Schulz's column on the impact of Vanderbilt's special teams

*And plenty of free interviews and more inside the recap.

Notes on Boston College

Here are some tidbits from Boston College's game notes:

*Boston College owns the nation’s longest winning streak in bowl games with eight straight victories.

*Vanderbilt and Boston College have met twice, in 1962 and 1963, with BC taking both games.

*Head Coach Jeff Jagodzinski has an impressive 20-7 record in two season with the Eagles.

*BC scored a non-offensive touchdown (defense of special teams) in seven-straight games, which is the longest streak in the country this season. The Eagles accomplished this feat a total of eight times on the year, tied for the most in the nation.

*BC is among the least penalized teams in the country. BC’s 4.38 penalties per game ranks ninth in the nation and its 36.92 yards penalized per game is 10th.

*Boston College ranks sixth in the country in total defense (273.38) and red zone defense (.71) and seventh in rushing defense (92.2) and pass efficiency defense (98.71).

*Boston College has recorded an FBS-best three shutouts this year (tied with USC).

*BC also leads the nation with 36 turnovers gained.

*The Eagles have recorded 26 interceptions on the season, which leads the nation. It's also the third highest total in ACC history. Senior SS Paul Anderson and junior LB Mark Herzlich lead BC with six picks apiece.

*Herzlich was a finalist for the 2008 Butkus Award, given annually to the nation’s top linebacker. The Wayne, PA native leads the team with 105 tackles, 79 solo stops, seven pass break-ups, six interceptions, and a pair of forced fumbles.

*Seniors Ron Brace and B.J. Raji combine to form one of the top defensive tackle duos in the country. Brace has racked up 25 tackles on the year and has nine TFLs and three sacks. Raji has 37 tackles on the season and leads the team with 13 tackles for a loss for 69 yards and seven sacks. He also has four pass break-ups and three QB hurries.

*Redshirt freshman QB Dominique Davis is coming off of his first loss (to Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship) and will lead the BC offense in his third-career start. Davis replaced senior QB Chris Crane after Crane fractured his right collarbone at Wake Forest on November 22. Davis went 17-for-43 for 263 yards with two interceptions and a touchdown against Virginia Tech.

*The Eagles starting offensive line averages out at 6-5, 307 pounds.

*BC features two true freshmen at tailback. Montel Harris has recorded five 100-yard games and broke the freshman rushing record at Boston College vs. Maryland. Harris and Josh Haden are the second-most prolific true freshman running back pair in the country with an average of 105.9 yards per game.

* Senior WR Brandon Robinson leads the team with 606 receiving yards, a 46.6 per game average, and a 15.5 per catch average. He ranks fourth all-time in program history with 138 receptions.

Langford excited about final game

Twenty-one Commodores will suit up for the final time in today’s Music City Bowl matchup with Boston College (2:30 p.m. CT).

One of them will be fifth-year safety and co-captain Reshard Langford.

The Tanner, Ala., native has been a staple in the Commodores' lineup throughout his career, starting every game since he redshirted in 2004. Langford leads all active Vanderbilt position players with 47 consecutive starts and 237 career tackles. He was also named to the SEC Community Service team this year for his work as a mentor for inner city youth at the Martha O’Bryan Center.

Emotions were high for Langford after his final walk-through practice yesterday, knowing Wednesday would be his last game wearing the black and gold.

“I have a lot of excitement built up,” admitted Langford, “and I'm trying to keep my nerves together right now.”

Through all of the ups and downs, Langford will be a part of a Vanderbilt team that earned its first postseason appearance in 26 years. What better way to end a career than with a bowl victory, an accomplishment only one other Vanderbilt team (1955) can claim.

“We're trying to come out with a win, of course, to start something, start a tradition and get something going and keep building on this program that we've been turning around for years.

“It's my last time with these guys who've I've spent so much time with and working five years straight, just grinding it out with some great quality guys. I'm just excited to really go out and play this game.”

Wednesday's Bowl Events

It's gameday! So, if you're in Nashville for the game, check out the list of events leading up to kickoff at 2:30 p.m. CT inside LP Field.

Limelight Tailgate at 201 Woodland St.
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Tailgate with fellow Commodore fans before the game. Live music, catered lunch by Monell's, cash bar. SOUL INCISION will be playing at the tailgate! Tickets are $16. More Info

Star Walk
Approximately 12 p.m.
Join friends, fans and the Vanderbilt band and cheerleaders at the northeast corner of LP Field to cheer the Commodores as they arrive for the game.

Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl
2:30 p.m.
Vanderbilt has sold out of its bowl ticket allotment. All will call tickets will be available at 12:30 p.m. CT Wednesday at LP Field's Gate #9. If you'd still like to reserve your seats, contact the Music City Bowl.

For more information on today's events, click here.

Wednesday's Bowl Articles

Get ready for the bowl game by reading Wednesday's news articles from around the web.

The Tennessean
VU hunts for historic finish
Coaches enjoy Music City bowl buildup
BC quarterback is a quick study
Bowl win would be a just reward
Music City Bowl at a glance

Nashville City Paper
BC’s defense scares ’Dores
Music City Bowl: What to watch for
VU almost overwhelmed with preparation

The Boston Globe
Eagles will be grounded

Macon Telegraph
Middle Georgia duo ready for bowl

The Daily News Tribune
Eagles gunning for bowl win

Band and Cheer take over downtown

(Picture courtesy of Steve Green)

Several thousand people converged on 2nd Avenue Tuesday night to see the annual Battle of the Bands between the spirit squads from Vanderbilt and Boston College.

And bowl fever filled the air from the get-go.

"Vanderbilt fans were rowdy,” said cheer coach Pam Pearson. “It was crazy from the moment we got off the bus.”

With spectators lined up on both sides of the street, each school began marching from opposite directions before meeting at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Commerce for a pep showdown. Each band belted out six songs in a back-and-forth format with interactive cheers mixed in. Both teams were awarded a special guitar for their efforts (although no winner was announced).

And the night wasn't over just yet.

Vanderbilt then took its parade to an alumni gathering at B.B. King's Blues Club highlighted by the crowd rising from their seats to sing the Alma mater.

Follow that up with more impromptu stops at a few downtown establishments and it was a special evening for Commodore fans still soaking in the excitement of the football team’s first bowl appearance since 1982.

"The whole night was amazing,” Pearson said. “I've been here seven years and it was the best pep rally we've ever had. It was just outstanding."