It's almost time...

by Barca Blog - We're less than 24 hours until kickoff! Here are some quotes from Bradley Vierling and Broderick Stewart on the excitement of getting the 2009 season underway.

Senior center Bradley Vierling

“When you come off a winning season for the first time in so long, you just want everyone to know this is real, that we’re here, and we’re fired up.

“The big monkey has been taken off our back. We’re not the team that has fallen short over and over again. We got the job done last year. Now, we’re just going to use that to catapult us into this season and have another great one.”

Senior defensive end Broderick Stewart

“I really can’t even put it into words. It’s exciting any time football season starts. I know we have a lot of expectations, so just to get it started is something I’m definitely looking forward to.

“Our chemistry is at an all-time high. The interaction between the guys has been excellent. That combined with our bowl win last year, everybody’s just ready to go.”

Stewart to wear 'KD1" jersey patch

by Leathers - This season, defensive end Broderick Stewart (R-Sr.) will become the third Vanderbilt player to wear the "KD1" jersey patch, one of the most significant recognitions awarded by fellow Commodore players.

The patch honors the memory of Kwane Doster, the only Commodore ever to receive the SEC Freshman of the Year Award. Doster was shot and killed in his hometown of Tampa, Fla., on Dec. 26, 2004. It will be displayed on the front of Stewart's No. 90 jersey.

Stewart, from Newnan, Ga., also becomes the first player to earn the patch that did not play with Doster.

The team's Leadership Council votes on the player to wear the "KD1" patch. They recognized Stewart's effort and desire to return from a serious lower leg injury suffered late in the 2008 season.

“They made a fantastic selection. Broderick is very deserving," Head Coach Bobby Johnson said. "They recognize that Broderick has worked extremely hard to get back on the field. They know how productive Broderick is as a player and what he has gone through to return."

"Broderick has given everything and anything to this program," two-time captain Bradley Vierling added. "He is just a team guy and he brings a lot of energy to our team. He is always getting everyone fired up. The defense really thrives off him and he is really the pulse of our defense."

Stewart, just six sacks shy of the Vanderbilt all-time career record, suffered a season-ending ankle and foot injury early in the 2008 Tennessee game, yet still travelled to the finale at Wake Forest and to the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl to support his teammates.

Stewart becomes the third Commodore player to wear the patch. Former All-SEC linebacker Jonathan Goff wore it in the 2006-07 seasons. Tailback Jeff Jennings wore the patch for his senior season.

"It’s a big honor," Stewart said. "Just for being around the school for a few years and everything that Kwane embodied like his leadership, athletic ability and his willingness to go hard and go the extra mile. I want to thank the team and for everyone that voted for me. I will definitely try to live up to it."

Next Ask A Dore: Broderick Stewart

by Barca Blog - Broderick Stewart, a senior defensive end from Newnan, Ga,, will be the next guest in our weekly Ask A Dore segment. Make sure you get your questions in by Monday, August 31... click here.

We will post Larry Smith's answers in the next few days on VUcommodores.com. You can listen to previous interviews in our AAD archive.