Scrimmage Signals End of Commodore Two-A-Days; WNSR Afternoon Show Airs Thursday from Campus 8/21/02

Wednesday with the Commodores in Nashville - The Commodores scrimmaged for more than an hour Wednesday morning as the team continued preparations for the season opener at Georgia Tech in just 10 days.

Head Coach Bobby Johnson used the scrimmage to give the squad another strenuous full-contact session before the end of training camp. The Commodores start daily practices Thursday with a focus on the season opener.

After the morning scrimmage, the Commodores ended two-a-day drills practicing two hours in shoulder pads and shorts Wednesday afternoon. The team went through a brisk 20-period workout of individual, unit and team drills.

Johnson left the practice field after the morning scrimmage pleased with the team’s overall effort and execution.

“We did a good job of cutting down on the mistakes, a much better job than we did during the scrimmage Saturday,” Johnson said. “I also saw most of our guys working extremely hard out there. What we need is to get everyone of our players working like our best guys. That’s the way this team is going to get better.”

The scrimmage was the second consecutive practice to include full-contact action. On Tuesday afternoon, the team went through a 20-minute scrimmage limited to goal-line situations. The Wednesday scrimmage was more open, with the offense starting most possessions in their own territory.

The offense, blending play-action passes with a two-back rushing attack, was more efficient this morning than during Saturday’s effort. The unit posted a pair of scoring drives, and made fewer mental mistakes. The defense also continued its aggressive style as they adapt to the new 4-3 alignment. The coaches switched personnel freely, giving most of the team a chance to showcase their talent.

Commodores Practices Closed Starting Thursday
When the Commodores start daily practices on Thursday, the practice field will be closed to the public for the first time this preseason. With two-a-days over, Coach Johnson said the closed practice policy would be in effect as the Commodores begin to focus on the season opener at Georgia Tech Saturday, August 31.

Bill King, David Climer bring WNSR AM-560 afternoon show to campus Thursday
Nashville radio sports talk host Bill King will feature three hours on the Commodores Thursday when he broadcasts his WNSR (AM-560) afternoon show from the John Rich Football Complex. King will be joined by Nashville Tennessean columnist David Climer on the 3:00-6:00 p.m. (CST) show. It will be staged in the Vanderbilt football weight room.

Listeners will hear King and Climer interview several Vanderbilt officials, including Coach Johnson (3:10 p.m.), Director of Athletics Todd Turner (4:10 p.m.) and Chancellor Gordon Gee (5:10 p.m.). The Vanderbilt chancellor is expected to stay through much of the show’s final hour. Several football assistants, including Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Line Coach Robbie Caldwell, Defensive Coordinator Bruce Fowler and Offensive Coordinator Ted Cain, also will be interviewed.