{"id":712,"date":"2016-09-13T08:15:51","date_gmt":"2016-09-13T12:15:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordoncollegefootball.com\/?p=712"},"modified":"2017-05-22T00:02:39","modified_gmt":"2017-05-22T04:02:39","slug":"ralph-web-vanderbilt-commodores","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2016\/09\/13\/ralph-web-vanderbilt-commodores\/","title":{"rendered":"The Vanderbilt Commodores Fly Over Middle Tennessee"},"content":{"rendered":"

Saturday night Ralph Webb<\/strong> flew over\u00a0Middle Tennessee State University\u00a0<\/strong>as the\u00a0Vanderbilt\u00a0Commodores<\/strong>\u00a0came away with a 47-24 victory.<\/p>\n

Four Quarters and Four Things to be Excited About<\/strong><\/h2>\n

By all means this\u00a0Vandy<\/strong>\u00a0team is getting better. They didn\u2019t play a perfect game, but they put in a solid team effort. Head Coach\u00a0Derek Mason<\/strong>\u00a0spoke after the game, \u201cThere was a lot of ebb and flow in this game\u2026We did what this team hasn\u2019t done since I have been here, we responded all the way around\u2026that was telling in terms of where we were and how focused these guys were.\u201d The offense put 31 points on the board in the first half, which is the first time under Mason. They were un-phased by the hour and forty-five minute lightning and rain delay that occurred with five minutes left in the first quarter.\u00a0Andy Ludwig<\/strong>\u2019s offense is starting to put points on the board at a consistent rate and\u00a0Mason\u2019s defense knows how to score points.<\/p>\n

Vanderbilt proved they could handle anything MTSU and Mother Nature could throw at them.<\/p>\n

Offense and More Offense: The First Two Things to be Excited About<\/h3>\n

The Vandy offense fought hard to show their fans what they are made of and what they are building. The Commodores offensive line was impressive to say the least. The front line\u00a0was key Saturday night, keeping sophomore quarterback\u00a0Kyle Shurmur<\/strong>\u00a0upright. In turn, this allowed Shurmur the luxury to explore his options. As a matter of fact, there were\u00a010 different receivers who caught passes in this game. The O-Line made holes for Webb to break free to conquer the field as he hurdled defenders and goal lines with ease. The front five are big, strong, and downright\u00a0good<\/em>. Shurmur still had some struggles, but with more playing time he should continue to grow. This offense gave the fans what they have been waiting to see: potential.<\/p>\n

\"NASHVILLE,
NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 10: Running back Ralph Webb #7 of the Vanderbilt Commodores jumps over Jovante Moffatt #7 of the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Webb was a human highlight reel with his 29 carries, 211 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Webb\u2019s yardage is the third most in school history. The last two seasons for Webb were promising, and we have only had a glimpse of what this young back can do in 2016. Mason talked\u00a0about Webb after the game, \u201cHe is amazing\u2026I\u2019ll take him over any running back in this conference, because I know who he is. I know what he\u2019s done since I\u2019ve been here. He stands for everything that a Vanderbilt man is.\u201d Webb wasn\u2019t in this game alone as he had plenty of help in keeping Vandy seven for seven in the red zone, “The offensive line did their job tonight. It is a great feeling to celebrate as a team, so take this victory and we will celebrate it tonight and get ready to work tomorrow.” This offense wasn\u2019t perfect, but it was the first brick in a solid foundation.<\/p>\n

Defense and Depth<\/h3>\n

Mason stated \u201cwe have tried to build a wave of bodies\u2026we have created depth\u2026I thought that the depth carried us late in the third\u00a0quarter.\u201d\u00a0Zach Cunningham\u2019<\/strong>s forced fumble in the first quarter marked the seventh consecutive game that Vandy has forced a fumble. Darrius Sims<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Jay Woods<\/strong>\u00a0made their season debuts Saturday, as\u00a0Oren Burks<\/strong>\u00a0had an interception\u00a0that he ran back for 59 yards. Burks also made\u00a0Vandy\u2019s first sack of the season against\u00a0Brent Stockstill<\/strong>\u00a0in the fourth quarter. Cunningham\u00a0recorded 10 tackles against the Blue Raiders. It is his sixth\u00a0straight double-digit tackle game and his eleventh\u00a0of his career. With these stats in mind, keep an eye on this defense as it matures through\u00a0the season.<\/p>\n

Energy Feeds Excitement<\/h3>\n

Vanderbilt came out especially hyped for this game. They had a renewed energy about them and were ready to play all four quarters. Furthermore, the Commodores\u00a0had an answer for everything that MTSU gave them offensively and defensively. Football isn\u2019t a perfect game and by no means did Vandy play a perfect game, but they played a well-rounded game.<\/p>\n

Mason talked about the energy,\u00a0\u201cI thought the energy was good all the way through the game. The energy was good from our guys on the sideline to each other\u2026that was important. Important for us to stay focused stay in this game\u2026sometimes when you can create your own energy\u2026it can sustain you and it sustained us tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mason also said\u00a0he challenged this team, \u201cJust give me your best and your best is good enough\u2026they gave me their best…Was it perfect? No. But it was good enough to get a win. I am so proud of these guys.\u201d<\/p>\n

This Vandy team will have to take this renewed energy on the road next Saturday to Atlanta as they take on Georgia Tech. If Vanderbilt can take the positives\u00a0from this past game, as well as tweak and improve plays, they should build a momentum that will carry them through\u00a0the season. Mason and his staff have been relentless in building a team of talent and depth, and Vanderbilt is starting to fire on all cylinders.<\/p>\n

Even though their side of the stands thinned a little after the rain delay Saturday, the loyal few who stuck around were rewarded with a good, solid win. Mason has the ship headed in the right direction, and if Vandy continues with this energy they will be an exciting team to watch.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n