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 Vanderbilt wide receiver George Smith was unable to pull down this pass in the first quarter over Crimson Tide defensive back Rashad Johnson. (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge] |
After last year's close game where the Crimson Tide edged the Commodores 13-10, many of the Vanderbilt hopeful were looking to delay new Alabama coach Nick Saban's first SEC win with the Tide.
The Commodores didn't live up to that expectation, dropping a 24-10 decision.
"That was a tough one to go through," Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson said. "Alabama played physical and we had too many errors in the first half. We had a long punt return that we couldn't afford to (give up). To have a chance to win, we can't help the other team. We worked right into their plan."
Poor tackling and costly penalties didn't help matters.
The Commodores' special teams struggled along with their run defense.
Vandy's passing game left a lot to be desired but the reported hamstring injury to starting quarterback Chris Nickson probably played a major role.
The difference and quality of players between Vanderbilt and Alabama has grown closer in the past few years but one can only wonder with the emergence of Saban if that will remain the case.
Perhaps the most disturbing aspect was all the Crimson in Vanderbilt's stands.
Figures such as 80-20, 75-25 or 70-30 in favor of the visitors were debated in the press box.
I was amazed how many Alabama fans were able to get tickets considering talks of this possibly being one of the most successful seasons for the Commodores in recent memory. I even heard that as many as 1,000 Alabama fans bought Vanderbilt season tickets just so they could attend this game.
The season is far from over for the 'Dores, and they still have a favorable schedule. Talks of a bowl game will continue and six of their final 10 games are at home.
Maybe those Crimson Tide fans will be as generous as the Vanderbilt players were on the field Saturday and give the rest of those season tickets to Commodore fans.
Gary Johnson is a Times-Gazette sports writer.
Just noticed the outstanding action shot made even better because my son and I are in the background. How do I get a copy?
This is not an as-you-wait service, unfortunately, because the computer folks who fulfill the orders may be in the middle of working on something for the next issue of the newspaper.
All of this will soon change, however. We're going to be launching a new service in the next couple of months that will allow you to browse and purchase T-G photos online, from our web site. You will even be able to have photos put on novelty items like T-shirts and coffee mugs if you like.
The same system will allow you to share photos with the community -- if you have a photo of that great fish you caught, or a favorite scenic location, you'll be able to upload it for everyone to see.
Stay tuned for the details!
I was at the game and the 70-30 fan ratio was about right. Vandy had a chance to set the pace in the game and did when Nickson and Bennett hooked up for 60 yards on the first play of the game. Unfortunately, it was the refs that took away the excitement with what appears from every replay that I have seen to be a phantom interference call on Bennett that wiped it out. Add that to the big punt return called back and certainly this game might have had a different outcome. Too bad, it would have been nice to ruin Sabean's SEC debut. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy!!
MTSU DE: Devarick Scandrett 10/01/05
"Coming out of the locker room at halftime we all were talking about a three-peat. The players decided for ourselves that we were going to come in here for a third straight time and beat them"
I know deep down that lost still hurts! Just imagine you would have been 5-0 and going to a bowl ( Tennessee win would have been win #6)
Instead you were on the outside look in! Looks like more of the same this year!
MTSU Motor City Bowl 2006 Participants