2011 Vanderbilt Commodores football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 2011 Vanderbilt Commodores football Vanderbilt Commodores logo.svg 125 Southeastern Conference SEC Eastern Division 6–7 2–6 James Franklin 1st John Donovan 1st Bob Shoop 1st Brent Pry 1st Multiple 4–3 Vanderbilt Stadium Liberty Bowl L Lost 24–31 vs. Cincinnati 5 Kyle Fischer Casey Hayward Chris Marve Larry Smith Carey Spear The 2011 Vanderbilt Commodores football team represented Vanderbilt University during the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Commodores played their seven home games at Vanderbilt Stadium at Dudley Field in Nashville, Tennessee, which has been Vanderbilt football's home stadium since 1922.http://vucommodores.cstv.com/facilities/vand-stadium.html https://web.archive.org/web/20110929224616/http://vucommodores.cstv.com/facilities/vand-stadium.html 2011-09-29 Vanderbilt Stadium The team's head coach was James Franklin, who was in his first year at Vanderbilt. Hired at Vanderbilt on December 17, 2010, he was previously the offensive coordinator and "head coach in waiting" at the University of Maryland.http://www.umterps.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/franklin_james01.html https://web.archive.org/web/20110717153950/http://www.umterps.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/franklin_james01.html 2011-07-17 James Franklin Maryland Bio Vanderbilt has been a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) since the league's inception in 1932, and has participated in the conference's Eastern Division since its formation for the 1992 season. Vanderbilt completed the 2011 regular season with an overall record of 6–6 and a mark of 2–6 in conference play, finishing in a tie with Kentucky for fourth place in the SEC East. They were invited to the Liberty Bowl where they were defeated by Cincinnati 24–31 to finish the season 6–7. 2011. The seniors of the 2011 Vanderbilt football team became the first class in program history to qualify for two bowl games while at the school. Vanderbilt had only been to bowls in 1955 vs. Auburn, 1974 vs. Texas Tech, 1982 vs. Air Force, and 2008 vs. Boston College. Coaching changes At the end of the 2010 season, head coach Robbie Caldwell resigned from Vanderbilt.Caldwell steps aside as head coach - Vanderbilt Official Athletic Site http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112710aac.html https://web.archive.org/web/20110708212140/http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112710aac.html 2011-07-08 2025-01-17 vucommodores.cstv.com en After a long nationwide coaching search, in which Gus Malzahn, Auburn's offensive coordinator, nearly accepted the job,2010-12-13 Auburn keeps O-boss Malzahn with extension https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5915527&source=NCFHeadlines 2025-01-17 ESPN.com en James Franklin was hired as the 27th head football coach at Vanderbilt University.James Franklin: VU Football Head Coach - Vanderbilt Official Athletic Site http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121710aae.html https://web.archive.org/web/20110708212113/http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121710aae.html 2011-07-08 2025-01-17 vucommodores.cstv.com en Franklin proceeded to hire John Donovan as the new offensive coordinator and Bob Shoop as the new defensive coordinator. Franklin also retained Herb Hand as offensive line coach from the previous Vanderbilt staff, and hired Chris Beatty from West Virginia, who had been Percy Harvin's high school coach, as the new wide receivers coach.Franklin announces initial hires - Vanderbilt Official Athletic Site http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/011311aab.html https://web.archive.org/web/20110708212119/http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/011311aab.html 2011-07-08 2025-01-17 vucommodores.cstv.com en Recruiting On February 2, 2011, Franklin announced a football recruiting class of 21 athletes. The class has been hailed as one of the best in Vanderbilt football history,http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/020211aab.html James Franklin National Signing Day Press Conference especially because Vanderbilt was able to persuade several prospects from larger and nationally known schools, such as Lafonte Thourogood from Virginia Tech, Dillon Van der Wal from Arizona State, and Barron Dixon from Mississippi State.2011-02-03 SEC recruiting rewind: Vanderbilt https://www.espn.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/19694/sec-recruiting-rewind-vanderbilt 2025-01-17 ESPN.com en Lafonte Thourogood and Dillon van der Wal were both rated as four star recruits by Scout.com.Vanderbilt Official Athletic Site - Football http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/2011-signing-day.html https://web.archive.org/web/20110926113203/http://vucommodores.cstv.com:80/sports/m-footbl/2011-signing-day.html 2011-09-26 2025-01-17 vucommodores.cstv.com en thumb|In 2011 Vanderbilt introduced a new black helmet Schedule 2011 AP Central September 3 6:30 p.m. w y Elon Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN CSS https://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=312460238 45–14 27,599 September 10 6:30 p.m. w y Connecticut Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN CSS https://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=312530238 24–21 32,119 September 17 11:21 a.m. w Ole Miss rivalry Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN SECN https://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=312600238 30–7 34,579 September 24 6:00 p.m. l y South Carolina 12 Williams-Brice Stadium Columbia, SC ESPN2 https://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=312672579 3–21 77,015 October 8 6:00 p.m. l y Alabama 2 Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL ESPNU https://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=312810333 0–34 101,821 October 15 6:00 p.m. l Georgia rivalry Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN FS South https://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=312880238 28–33 36,640 October 22 6:00 p.m. w y y Army Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN ESPNU https://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=312950238 44–21 32,210 October 29 11:21 a.m. l Arkansas 8 Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN SECN https://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=313020238 28–31 33,247 November 5 11:21 a.m. l y Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL SECN https://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=313090057 21–26 90,144 November 12 11:21 a.m. w Kentucky rivalry Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN SECN https://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=313160238 38–8 33,718 November 19 6:00 p.m. l y Tennessee rivalry Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN ESPNU https://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=313232633 21–27 OT 91,367 November 26 2:30 p.m. w y y Wake Forest BB&T Field Winston-Salem, NC ESPNU https://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=313300154 41–7 28,020 December 31 2:30 p.m. l y y Cincinnati Liberty Bowl Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN ABC https://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=313650238 24–31 57,103 Coaching staff Name Position Years at VU James Franklin Head coach 1st John Donovan Offensive coordinator / running backs coach 1stBob Shoop Defensive coordinator / safeties coach 1st Charles Bankins Special teams coordinator / tight ends coach 1st Chris Beatty Wide receivers coach 1st Herb Hand Offensive line coach 1st Wesley McGriff Defensive backs coach 1st Ricky Rahne Quarterbacks Coach 1st Brent Pry Co-defensive Coordinator / linebackers coach 1st Sean Spencer Defensive line coach 1st Andy Frank Assistant Director of football operations 3rd Jemal Griffin Football Chief of Staff 1st Michael Hazel Director of football operations 3rd Robert Livingston Defensive Quality Control Coach 1st Norval McKenzie Assistant Recruiting Coordinator 3rd Joey Orck Offensive Graduate Assistant 3rd Tom Bossung Head Athletic Trainer 13th Kevin Colon Associate Director of student athletics 1st Dwight Galt Football Strength and Conditioning Director 1st Chuck Losey Football Assistant Strength Coach 1st Kevin Threlkel Offensive Administrative Assistant 1stLuke Wyatt Head Equipment Manager 29thhttp://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/vand-m-footbl-mtt.html Vanderbilt Official Athletic Site - Football 2011-07-23 2011-08-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20110806120443/http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/vand-m-footbl-mtt.html dead Game summaries Elon 2011 Elon Phoenix football team This game marked the first meeting between these schools. Elon 0 7 7 0 Vanderbilt 7 14 3 21 Nashville, Tennessee 6:30 p.m. Central 3:00 27,599 97, Partly Cloudy Mike Austin CSS Connecticut 2011 Connecticut Huskies football team thumb|Connecticut Game This was the third meeting between these schools. Vandy holds a one-game lead in the series at 2 wins to 1 loss. Connecticut 3 0 10 8 Vanderbilt 14 0 0 10 Nashville, Tennessee 6:30 p.m. Central 3:11 32,119 80, Scattered Clouds John McDaid CSS Mississippi 2011 Ole Miss Rebels football team One of college football's oldest rivalries, Vanderbilt and Old Miss have played 85 times since 1894. Vandy won the first 19 of those games, and Ole Miss did not score in the first ten games. Vandy trails at 37–47–2 Vandy won last game 30–7. Mississippi 0 0 0 7 Vanderbilt 0 21 9 0 Nashville, Tennessee 11:21 a.m. Central 3:21 34,579 69, Partly Cloudy Hubert Owens Dave Neal (play-by-play), Andre Ware (color), Cara Capuano (sideline) SEC Network South Carolina 2011 South Carolina Gamecocks football team Vandy first played USC in 1961, but they did not play each other again until 1992. They have played each year since, with Vandy losing the first seven games. Vandy trails the overall series 4–16, and USC has won the last two games. The score of the most recent game was 3–21 in favor of South Carolina. Vanderbilt 3 0 0 0 #12 South Carolina 0 14 7 0 Columbia, South Carolina 7:00 p.m. Eastern 3:19 77,015 79, Partly Cloudy Marc Curles Mark Jones (play-by-play), Ed Cunningham (color), Jeannine Edwards (sideline) ESPN2 Alabama 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team Vandy has played Alabama 78 times since 1903. Vandy won the first five games, but have only won ten more times since. Vandy trails the all-time series 15–59–4. Alabama has won the last 20 games (the 1993 games was forfeited). They last played in 2007, with the result a 10–24 Alabama win. Vanderbilt 0 0 0 0 #2 Alabama 7 7 13 7 Tuscaloosa, Alabama 6:00 p.m. Central 2:59 101,821 77, Sunny Penn Wagers Clay Matvick (play-by-play), Brian Griese (color), Allison Williams (sideline) ESPNU Georgia 2011 Georgia Bulldogs football team thumb|Vs. Georgia Vandy has been playing Georgia almost every year since 1893. Vandy trails 18–51–2 all-time. Georgia has won the last three games, and the last game was 10–34 Georgia. Georgia 0 20 6 7 Vanderbilt 0 7 14 7 Nashville, Tennessee 6:00 p.m. Central 3:34 36,640 68, Clear Matt Austin Bob Rathbun (play-by-play), Tim Couch (color), Kristin Akra (sideline) FS South Army 2011 Army Black Knights football team thumb|Vs. 2011 Army Black Knights thumb|101st Screaming Eagles at Vanderbilt-Army game Army and Vandy have played eight games since 1968. The series is tied at 4 games each. In 2009, Army won their last meeting in overtime, 13–16. Army 6 0 8 7 Vanderbilt 13 10 14 7 Nashville, Tennessee 6:00 p.m. Central 3:15 32,210 50, Broken Clouds David Smith Clay Matvick (play-by-play), Brian Griese (color), Allison Williams (sideline) ESPNU yes 1 10:48 VAN Zac Stacy 1-yard run (Carey Spear kick) VAN 7-0 1 10:03 VAN Chris Boyd 43-yard pass from Jordan Rodgers (kick failed) VAN 13-0 1 6:05 ARMY Malcolm Brown 6-yard run (kick failed) VAN 13-6 2 4:49 VAN Jordan Rodgers 12-yard run (Carey Spear kick) VAN 20-6 2 0:37 VAN Carey Spear 37-yard field goal VAN 23-6 3 6:39 VAN Jerron Seymour 5-yard run (Carey Spear kick) VAN 30-6 3 5:39 VAN Zac Stacy 8-yard run (Carey Spear kick) VAN 37-6 3 1:39 ARMY Angel Santiago 1-yard run (Angel Santiago to Larry Dixon pass) VAN 37-14 4 11:52 ARMY Geoffrey Bacon 70-yard interception return (Alex Carlton kick) VAN 37-21 4 6:38 VAN Zac Stacy 55-yard run (Ryan Fowler kick) VAN 44-21 yes https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=312950238 https://web.archive.org/web/20170202025240/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=312950238 dead February 2, 2017 Army vs. Vanderbilt - Game Recap - October 22, 2011 - ESPN Arkansas 2011 Arkansas Razorbacks football team thumb|Vs. Arkansas Razorbacks Vandy has played Arkansas eight times since 1949. Vandy trails the series 2–6, and Arkansas has won the last two last games. The last game was an Arkansas win, 14–49. Vanderbilt had a chance to tie the game with :12 left in the 4th quarter, but Carey Spear missed a 27-yard field goal and hooked it right. The Hogs survived their second upset of the season, with Ole Miss being their first. #8 Arkansas 7 7 6 11 Vanderbilt 7 14 7 0 Nashville, Tennessee 11:21 a.m. Central 3:24 33,247 40, Clear Marc Curles Dave Neal (play-by-play), Andre Ware (color), Cara Capuano (sideline) SEC Network Florida 2011 Florida Gators football team Vandy and Florida have been playing since 1945. Vandy trails 9–33–2, and Vandy has lost the last 20 games. In their last meeting, Florida won 14–55. Vanderbilt 0 0 7 14 Florida 0 17 3 6 Gainesville, Florida 12:21 p.m. Eastern 3:16 90,144 59, Cloudy Penn Wagers Dave Neal (play-by-play), Andre Ware (color), Cara Capuano (sideline) SEC Network Kentucky 2011 Kentucky Wildcats football team Vandy and Kentucky have played 83 times since 1896. Vandy won the first nine games, and Kentucky did not score on Vandy for the first eleven games. Vandy trails 38–41–4, and Kentucky has won the last two games. The last game was a 20–38 Kentucky victory. Kentucky 0 0 8 0 Vanderbilt 7 17 7 7 Nashville, Tennessee 11:21 a.m. Central 3:08 33,718 56, Partly Cloudy Matt Moore Dave Neal (play-by-play), Andre Ware (color), Cara Capuano (sideline) SEC Network Tennessee 2011 Tennessee Volunteers football team Vandy and Tennessee have played 105 times. Vandy did not lose for the first 12 games, but since 1928 UT has dominated the series. Overall, Vandy trails 27–72–5. Tennessee has won the last five games in the series, and the last game was a 10–24 Tennessee win. Vanderbilt 0 7 7 7 0 Tennessee 7 7 0 7 6 Knoxville, Tennessee 7:00 p.m. Eastern 3:21 91,367 52, Clear Marc Curles Clay Matvick (play-by-play), Brian Griese (color), Allison Williams (sideline) ESPNU Wake Forest 2011 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team Vandy and Wake Forest have played 13 times since 1964, and this is the only series in which Vandy plays during the 2011 football season that Vandy holds the all-time lead in, at 7–6–0. Wake, however, has won the last three. The last game was a 13–34 Wake Forest win. Vanderbilt 6 21 7 7 Wake Forest 0 7 0 0 Winston-Salem, North Carolina 3:30 p.m. Eastern 3:12 28,020 65, Sunny and Fair Ken Williamson ESPNU Cincinnati Vanderbilt and Cincinnati had met six times, dating back to 1898. Cincinnati holds the lead with 4 wins. 2011 Cincinnati Bearcats football team 2011 Liberty Bowl Liberty Bowl Vanderbilt 7 0 7 10 Cincinnati 0 14 0 17 Memphis, Tennessee 2:30 p.m. Eastern 57,103 ABC References Vanderbilt Category:Vanderbilt Commodores football seasons Vanderbilt Commodores football Category:2011 in Nashville, Tennessee