Commodore Time Machine - Ole Miss Series

by Barca Blog - Less than 1,200 tickets remain for Saturday’s SEC tilt with Ole Miss (click to purchase). If you haven’t been to the games in this series during the Bobby Johnson era, then odds are you’re in for an exciting finish, so reserve your seats today!

“It probably is (one of our best rivalries),” Johnson said. “It’s always pretty close. Some controversial things have happened and some crazy things have happened. It’s a good one to see. I hope everybody comes out and enjoys the game.”

Johnson is 3-4 against Ole Miss, taking three of the last four meetings. The margin of victory in the six of the seven games is 8 points or less. Let’s look back at some of the pivotal moments from those games:

2008 – Vanderbilt 23, Ole Miss 17 in Oxford
Chris Marve’s game-saving strip of Dexter McCluster on the two-yard line in the final minutes preserved the win.

2007 – Vanderbilt 31, Ole Miss 17 in Nashville
VU broke open a 14-10 lead by outscoring the Rebels 17-7 in the final quarter.

2006 – Ole Miss 17, Vanderbilt 10 in Oxford
The Commodores outgained the Rebels in total offense, 400-179, but were done in by five turnovers. VU had a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds, but Mackenzi Adams’ pass was intercepted at the OM nine-yard line.

2005 - Vanderbilt 31, Ole Miss 23 in Nashville
Ole Miss drove to the VU 15 on their final drive, but Moses Osemwegie sacked Robert Lane and recovered his fumble to seal the victory. The Commodores were up 24-3 at one point but the Rebels roared back with 20 unanswered points.

2004 – Ole Miss 26, Vanderbilt 23 (OT) in OxfordThe Commodores couldn’t hold on to a 23-13 lead in the fourth quarter and eventually fell in overtime. Two plays shifted the momentum: Matthew Tant’s 66-yard TD run was called back in the third quarter... and then the no-call when Jay Cutler’s facemask was pulled on fourth and four at the OM 30, causing him to come up one yard short. VU was up 23-20 with six minutes remaining at the time.

2003 – Ole Miss 24, Vanderbilt 21 in Nashville
Vanderbilt led 21-14 in the fourth quarter, but Jonathan Nichols’ 54-yard field goal with 3:52 left capped off 10 unanswered points by the Rebels to edge the ‘Dores.

2002 – Ole Miss 45, Vanderbilt 38 in Oxford
Vanderbilt fought back from a 21-point fourth quarter deficit to pull even with the Ole Miss, only to witness the Rebels score a clinching TD in the closing minutes. Kwane Doster had one of the finest games in VU history with 344 yards in total offense.

Commodore Time Machine - 1975

by Barca Blog - Today we’ll look back at the last time Vanderbilt played Rice in Houston.

The year was 1975. The media guide (pictured above) featured first-year head coach Fred Pancoast with senior safety Jay Chesley (7) and senior tight end Barry Burton (89) – both preseason All-Americans. The Commodores were coming off its second-ever postseason appearance, a 6-6 tie against Texas Tech in the Peach Bowl.

Vanderbilt headed into the Rice game looking to move to 2-0 after defeating Chattanooga, 17-7, in the opener. In front of 18,000 fans, senior kicker Mark Adams, who earned all-SEC honors in 1974, accounted for all of the Commodores’ points with three field goals… just enough to edge the Owls 9-6.

Adams, who also doubled as a linebacker, ended up playing a significant role in the ’Dores 7-4 season. In fact, his field goals provided the margin of victory in four of those wins.

Commodore Time Machine - 1988

by Barca Blog - I'm back with another edition of the Commodore Time Machine.

The front of the 1988 media guide featured senior quarterback Eric Jones (It's Showtime!), who received preseason Heisman hype after leading the SEC and ranking in the nation's top 10 in total offense and passing efficiency the previous season.

Vanderbilt opened the year against Mississippi State at Dudley Field. Trailing 13-10 lead going into the fourth quarter, the Commodores went ahead when Jones hit senior receiver Boo Mitchell for a 48-yard touchdown pass.

The Bulldogs responded with a touchdown of its own, but Vanderbilt took the lead for good when Mitchell hauled in a 50-yard scoring strike, this time from junior quarterback (and current Commodore color analyst) John Gromos. Gromos' only play of the day proved to be the game-winner.

The Commodores used two late defensive stands in the final three minutes to hold off the Bulldogs, 24-20.

Jones went on to lead the SEC in total offense for the second consecutive year, while Mitchell earned All-American status after breaking what once was the conference career receiving yardage record (2,964).

Bonus: Here's an action shot of Gromos

Commodore Time Machine - 1951

by Barca Blog - I'm back with another edition of the Commodore Time Machine. This week, we'll take a trip to 1951.

That year marks the last time Vanderbilt came away victorious in Baton Rouge with a 20-13 win over the Tigers. The Commodore captains were right tackle Bob Wreckle (70) and quarterback Bill Wade (12), pictured above.

Wade, who ended up being named SEC Player of the Year, had a stellar game with touchdown passes to Dick Foster (57 yards), Ben Roderick (15 yards), and Roy Duncan (21 yards) to account for all of the Commodores' scores.

Vanderbilt's defense came up big in the second half, not allowing the Tigers to score. One key moment was Birdie Gleisner's interception in the middle of the fourth quarter to halt LSU's drive at Vanderbilt's 33. LSU also threatened to tie the game in the closing seconds, but the clock ran out with the Tiger offense at Vanderbilt's 11-yard line.

Commodore Time Machine - 1985

By Barca Blog - Throughout the year, I plan on posting pictures from old Vanderbilt media guides. Who doesn’t love these things? It’s like taking a trip back in the Commodore time machine.

Today’s photo comes from the back cover of the 1985 football book. Will “The Tractor” Wolford, one of the most decorated offensive linemen in Vanderbilt’s modern era, is featured with Kermit Sykes, John Windham, and Jim Popp.

Wolford lived up to his nickname as an offensive tackle at Vanderbilt from 1982-85. He made a name for himself as a true freshman on the Hall of Fame Bowl team, earning second team freshmen All-American honors. In his senior season, Vanderbilt Athletic officials pushed him in an All-American campaign that featured a vintage Massey Ferguson tractor.

Wolford went on to play 13 seasons in the NFL and garnered three Pro Bowl selections. He currently co-hosts a sports radio show in Louisville, Ky.

(Photo by Glenn Gregory)