This past football season for the Vanderbilt Commodores was truly supernatural. A team that was supposed to be on the bottom of the SEC again, yet ended the season with seven wins. It was a miraculous season in many ways and ended last evening in the same fashion.This past season, the Commodores won games against South Carolina, Ole Miss, Auburn, and Kentucky that in past years they would have found ways to lose.
Yesterday, Vanderbilt beat the 24th ranked Boston College Eagles only mustering 200 yards, gaining eight first downs and converting just one of 15 third-down situations. The deciding factors turned out to be the fact that Vanderbilt committed no penalties and had no turnovers.
It was a gloriously cold evening, perfect for football. The atmosphere, for Vanderbilt, was electric. It was surreal as I looked around at the Vanderbilt section, watching the faces in the crowd. Many looked as if they were about to watch the Commodores let one slip away. Many looked as if they could not believe we were going to win a bowl game. They were all loud, on their feet, and giving it all they could to help the Dores along. In the end, all were relieved.
In my pessimistic little mind, however, I wonder if I will be 58 years old before we get to another bowl and if I will be 84 before we win another one.
What a night! It was worth the wait. Ok, maybe not. However, it is great to watch a class act coach take a team that 90% of the time when they take the field are lined up against a more athletic team, win seven games and defeat a ranked team for a bowl win. This is the new Vanderbilt football. We will be back to a bowl. No, it will not be every year. It may not be but once every 5-7 years. But when you are able to take you kids to watch a class act like Jared Hawkins who says that the only reason he plays football is so that he has a platform to share Christ with kids, you can leave even a fourth quarter loss and know you witnessed a winner. Last night was historic. I saw a 70 year old man in tears and I have to admit I got a little glassy eyed. I know it was not a National Championship and considered a minor bowl to most, but to Vanderbilt fans, it was a dream that I thought would never come true. Vanderbilt, you are doing the right thing. Keep it up. http://vanderbilt.scout.com/3/creed.html
ReplyDeleteI know you must be ecstatic! My best friend and her hubby, a Vandy grad, went to the game and had a blast. Congrats to a real Vandy fan, who has stuck with them through it all.
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