Turns out a special Saturday for you too, Vanderbilt fans.
All the concern you accompanied at the beginning of this Season of Commodores (I mean, my God, can you even win a game?) It became one of the most encouraging beginnings for any SEC team that is not called Mississippi State.
Vanderbilt beat Texas A
In fact, there is a sense that the Commodores let out a win-win game, that if those groups played again, they would have a chance. They had all the Aggies of all kinds, and opportunities accordingly. Vanderbilt had five possessions on the A-side
Because the Commodores lost, 17-12, it may be hyperbolic to throw black and gold banners to celebrate the first of which will still be many defeats in 2020.
But let’s not pretend Vanderbilt didn’t exceed expectations on Saturday night.
“I don’t think because we were in the game, we were satisfied,” said freshman Quarterback Ken Seals, one of Vanderbilt’s many revelations in the game. “But I think it warns many other people around the convention that it’s not the same Vanderbilt they’ve played in the past. “
For many SEC countries, this Saturday was like Christmas morning, fans were nevertheless able to open their gifts, COVID-19 for a few hours and notice how smart their groups can be.
With Vanderbilt, however, the opening game was decided based on the gravity of the situation.
You knew that. I knew it. Vegas knew.
At the time of kick-off, Texas A
You might sense why. These Aggies were expected to be good, yes, but there is also no explanation why expect the Commodores to be competitive with them.
Vanderbilt’s team last season was a disaster from start to finish, suffering in each and every way a team can fight. It’s not supposed to be much worse, but the cases advised.
Because Vanderbilt reviewed everything, hiring new coordinators on both sides of the ball, which meant they had to install so much, which was not ideal in a pandemic that limited education time and player availability, even though the Commodores had regained much of their defense, they had lost game creators in the attack. They had dangerously slimmed down this preseason on the offensive line. They needed a new quarterback, with so little fun between options.
Was it a shipwreck at College Station, which was a surprise?
On the other hand, it was quite the opposite. Vanderbilt comes out more confident in every way.
Attack and defense, while there is room for improvement, have sometimes been better than at any time last season. Vanderbilt can feel with new coordinators Todd Fitch and Ted Roof. Both have taken a step forward on this team.
He deserves to feel smart with his new quarterback. Seals was very well educated with a rookie in his first game, confirming that the Commodores made the right selection when riding with a rookie. .
Good defense. A few missed tackles is too many, but he’s opportunistic, making up 3 runs and expanding multiple times to keep Vanderbilt within range.
“They practiced hard. They deserved the right to come here and compete with everyone we faced,” Coach Derek Mason said. “I think 2020 would be a draw just for everyone to start at the same starting point. “
The fact that the Commodores didn’t take enough credit to win this attack was their only genuine cause of frustration. Given the way it was intended to be, if you’re Vanderbilt, take it. This type of night featured a dose of anything. The show hasn’t had in a long time: hope.
For many reasons, much more than we had achieved beforehand, this vanderbilt season has some hope after all.
Contact Gentry Estes at gestes@tennessean. com and Twitter @Gentry_Estes.