By Ed Greif / sports@crossville-chronicle.com
New Year’s Eve was reason to celebrate after watching my first in-person college bowl game, the Music City Bowl at LP Field as the Vanderbilt Commodores defeated the Boston College Eagles 16-14.
This was the ‘Dores’ first bowl win since 1955 and their first winning season (7-6) since 1982, when George McIntyre coached the team to an 8-4 overall and 4-2 SEC mark and a 36-28 loss to Air Force in the Hall of Fame Bowl.
This makes Vandy now 66-59-5 against ACC opponents.
The Eagles dominated the offensively, compiling 331 total yards to 200 for the Commodores, whose defense rose to the occasion when necessary. Interceptions were made by Ryan Hamilton and Myron Lewis, whose PIC with 1:36 left in the game sealed the victory, after Bryant Hahnfieldt’s third field goal gave the ‘Dores the lead.
Vanderbilt’s game-winning drive was only 48 yards, but 30 of that came on two personal foul penalties on the Eagles – a facemask and a late hit. This took Don Meredeth’s friend, “Ol Momentum,” away from the Eagles, who had earlier taken the lead on a 55-yard pass from Dominque Davis to Colins Larmond and Steve Aponavicius’ PAT.
Sean Richardson recovered a fumbled punt in the end zone for a TD with 10:35 left in the third quarter to give Vandy a 13-7 lead.
This was interesting from the quarterback perspective, as Vandy used three signal callers and BC one.
6’3”, Prattville, AL, freshman Larry Smith started for the ‘Dores over senior Chris Nickson and junior MacKenzie Adams. Smith was outstanding, completing 10 of 17 passes for 121 yards and rushing 10 times for 25 yards, while Nickson was zero for three passing and rushed for 57 yards on eight carries.
Adams was the recipient of the late hit by Mark Herzlich, after the Vandy QB threw an incomplete pass.
When spring practice rolls around, Smith and Adams will be battling for the starting job for the 2009 season.
Vandy junior cornerback D.J. Moore suffered an ankle injury early in the first half, limiting his play the rest of the way. He had only four tackles and one pass breakup, and carried the ball one time for three yards. Moore is going to forego his senior and turn pro.
He will be missed.
In many games, special teams play can go unnoticed, but not on Wednesday.
Vandy junior punt Brett Upson was voted as the Most Valuable Player, as he punted nine times for 42.6 yards, including a 58-yarder. Three of his nine punts landed inside the 20-yard line.
I can say Upson received my vote for MVP.
All of Vandy’s points were via special teams – nine on the three field goals and the fumble recovery for the TD.
L.P. Field was a sea of black and gold, as the Vandy fans stood up and cheered for everything the team did. The loadest cheers came when Richardson recovered the fumble for a TD, on Hahnfieldt’s game winning field goal and Lewis’ interception to seal the victory.
Remember the name Flutie? There is another one at BC, Billy Flutie, nephew of Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie. Billy is the Eagles’ back-up quarterback and punter. He punted one time for 31 yards Wednesday.
The Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl folks were very hospitable and L.P. Field was in outstanding shape for the contest. Security was not as tight as for Titans’ games, but the event staff was very gracious.
Ed Greif is the Chronicle sports editor, and his column appears periodically.
