2020 Vanderbilt Commodores football team
American college football season
The 2020 Vanderbilt Commodores football team represented Vanderbilt University in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season . The Commodores played their home games at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee , and competed in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by interim head coach Todd Fitch , who replaced Derek Mason after his firing on November 29, 2020. On December 14, 2020, Clark Lea was hired as head coach.
On November 28, in game against Missouri , Vanderbilt's Sarah Fuller became the first woman to play in a Power Five conference game by delivering the opening kickoff for the second half. Fuller, the Commodores' goalkeeper on the school's SEC championship women's soccer team , was added to the football roster after the team's regular kicking specialists had to be quarantined due to COVID-19 protocols.[ 1] [ 2] The following game, against Tennessee in the season finale, Fuller would become the first women to score in a Power Five game, going a perfect 2/2 on extra point attempts.[ 3] [ 4]
Preseason
Award watch lists
Listed in the order that they were released
In the preseason media poll, Vanderbilt was predicted to finish in last place in the East Division.[ 5]
Media poll (East Division)
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
Florida
624 (53)
2
Georgia
613 (43)
3
Tennessee
434
4
Kentucky
405
5
South Carolina
287
6
Missouri
224
7
Vanderbilt
101
Schedule
Vanderbilt had games scheduled against Colorado State , Kansas State , Louisiana Tech and Mercer , which were all canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic .[ 6] [ 7] [ 8]
Date Time Opponent Site TV Result Attendance September 26 6:30 p.m. at No. 10 Texas A&M SECN Alt. L 12–1724,073
October 3 6:30 p.m. No. 20 LSU SECN L 7–412,000
October 10 11:00 a.m. South Carolina Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN SECN L 7–411,288
October 31 3:00 p.m. Ole Miss Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN (rivalry ) SECN L 21–54840
November 7 2:30 p.m. at Mississippi State SECN L 17–2412,888
November 14 11:00 a.m. at Kentucky SECN L 35–3812,000
November 21 11:00 a.m. No. 6 Florida Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN ABC L 17–381,147
November 28 [a] 11:00 a.m. at Missouri SECN L 0–4111,053
December 12 3:00 p.m. Tennessee Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN (rivalry ) SECN L 17–42849
^[a] The game between Vanderbilt and Missouri was originally scheduled to take place on October 17. However, due to COVID-19 management requirements in response to positive tests and subsequent quarantine of individuals within the Vanderbilt program, the game was rescheduled for December 12.[ 9] [ 10] The SEC postponed Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt to facilitate the rescheduling of the Vanderbilt–Missouri game. The shuffling allows for the opportunity for all 14 SEC teams to play 10 regular-season games.[ 11] [ 12]
Personnel
2020 Vanderbilt Commodores football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Pos.
#
Name
Class
WR
2
Amir Abdur-Rahman
Jr
RB
3
Ja'Veon Marlow
Jr
WR
4
James Bostic III
Sr
QB
5
Mike Wright
Fr
QB
6
Jeremy Moussa
Jr
WR
7
Camron Johnson
Jr
QB
8
Ken Seals
Fr
RB
9
Rocko Griffin
Fr
TE
10
Gavin Schoenwald
Jr
WR
11
Tyrell Alexander
GS
WR
13
Jackson Winrow
GS
WR
14
Devin Boddie Jr.
So
QB
15
Danny Clark
Jr
WR
16
Mac Hereford
GS
WR
17
Keithan Starling Jr.
Sr
WR
18
Logan Kyle
Fr
WR
19
Chris Pierce Jr.
Sr
RB
21
Keyon Henry-Brooks
So
RB
25
Mitchell Pryor
Jr
RB
32
Jamauri Wakefield
GS
TE
35
Kyle White
Jr
FB
51
Luke Blanton
Jr
OL
52
Kevo Wesley
Fr
OL
54
Tyler Steen
Jr
OL
57
Drew Birchmeier
GS
OL
61
Jonah Buchanan
Sr
OL
62
Julian Hernandez
So
OL
63
Grant Miller
Sr
OL
64
Stephen Spanellis
GS
OL
65
Michael Warden
Jr
OL
67
Trent Weaver
Fr
OL
68
Jason Brooks Jr.
Fr
OL
70
Bradley Ashmore
Fr
OL
71
Donald Fitzgerald
So
OL
72
Dan Dawkins
Jr
OL
73
Jonathan Stewart
Sr
OL
74
Cole Clemens
Sr
OL
75
Ben Cox
Fr
OL
76
Connor Mignone
GS
OL
78
Bryce Bailey
Sr
WR
81
Will Sheppard
Fr
TE
84
Justin Ball
So
TE
85
Joel DeCoursey
So
TE
86
Ben Bresnahan
Jr
WR
88
Jayden Harrison
So
TE
89
Diego LaMonica
Fr
Defense
Pos.
#
Name
Class
DB
1
Donovan Kaufman
Fr
CB
4
Randall Haynie
Sr
CB
6
Gabe Jeudy-Lally
So
DL
8
Alex Williams
So
DL
9
Daevion Davis
So
DL
10
Dayo Odeyingbo
Sr
S
11
Justin Harris
So
LB
12
Brayden DeVault-Smith
Sr
S
13
Brendon Harris
Jr
S
14
Maxwell Worship
Jr
CB
15
Elijah Hamilton
GS
CB
16
B. J. Anderson
Sr
LB
17
Feleti Afemui
Sr
LB
21
Kenny Herbert
Sr
S
22
Chase Lloyd
Fr
DB
23
Jaylen Mahoney
So
LB
24
Alston Orji
Jr
LB
26
Anfernee Orji
So
CB
27
Ryan McCord
Fr
CB
28
Allan George
Sr
S , LB
29
Jack Barton
Fr
S
30
De'Rickey Wright
Fr
LB
31
A. J. Walsh
Fr
S
33
Dashaun Jerkins
Jr
DL
41
Elijah McAllister
Jr
S
42
Camden Coleman
Jr
LB
43
Tré Brown
So
DL
44
Christian James
So
LB
45
Griffin Lampton
Fr
DL
46
Michael Spencer
Fr
LB
48
Andre Mintze
GS
LB
50
Ethan Barr
Fr
STAR
52
Alex Brown
Jr
LB
53
Tommy Eckels
Fr
DL
57
Drew Birchmeier
GS
DL
66
Cameron Robinson
Sr
DL
69
Brayden Bapst
So
DE , LB
88
Michael Owusu
Sr
DL
90
Cameron Tidd
GS
DL
92
Derek Green
So
DL
93
Tolu Thomas-Ailara
So
DL
94
Rutger Reitmaier
Jr
DL
95
Raashaan Wilkins Jr.
Jr
DE
96
Nate Clifton
So
DL
97
Lorenza Surgers
Jr
DL
99
Malik Langham
Jr
Special teams
Pos.
#
Name
Class
K
32
Sarah Fuller
Sr
P
36
Jared Wheatley
So
K , P
37
Pierson Cooke
Jr
K
38
Oren Milstein
GS
K
39
Javan Rice
Jr
K
47
Wes Farley
Jr
LS
49
Zach Drevno
Jr
LS
58
Wesley Schelling
Fr
LS
59
Scott Meyer
GS
P
95
Harrison Smith
Jr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Ted Roof Defensive coordinator
Devin FitzsimmonsSpecial teams coordinator/Tight ends
Tony BallWide receivers
Aaron Henry Cornerbacks
Tim Horton Running backs
Marc MattioliDefensive backs
Jovan Haye Defensive ends
Kenechi Udeze Linebackers
Bret Ingalls Senior offensive analyst
Jeff ImamuraDefensive analyst
Caden ThomsonDefensive analyst
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt
Roster Last update: November 30, 2023
Game summaries
At No. 10 Texas A&M
1
2
3
4
Total
Commodores
3
2
7
0
12
No. 10 Aggies
7
0
7
3
17
Statistics
VAN
TAMU
First downs
17
17
Total yards
255
372
Rushing yards
105
183
Passing yards
150
189
Turnovers
2
3
Time of possession
33:59
26:01
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Vanderbilt
Passing
Ken Seals
20/29, 150 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing
Ja'Veon Marlow
16 rushes, 65 yards
Receiving
Amir Abdur-Rahman
5 receptions, 72 yards, TD
Texas A&M
Passing
Kellen Mond
17/28, 189 yards, TD
Rushing
Isaiah Spiller
8 rushes, 117 yards
Receiving
Caleb Chapman
4 receptions, 40 yards, TD
No. 20 LSU
1
2
3
4
Total
No. 20 Tigers
7
14
13
7
41
Commodores
0
7
0
0
7
Statistics
LSU
VAN
First downs
28
17
Total yards
498
266
Rushing yards
161
153
Passing yards
337
113
Turnovers
1
2
Time of possession
29:13
30:47
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
LSU
Passing
Myles Brennan
23/37, 337 yards, 4 TD, INT
Rushing
John Emery Jr.
12 rushes, 103 yards, T
Receiving
Terrace Marshall Jr.
2 receptions, 67 yards, 2 TD
Vanderbilt
Passing
Ken Seals
11/25, 113 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing
Ja'Veon Marlow
17 rushes, 83 yards
Receiving
Camron Johnson
3 receptions, 63 yards
South Carolina
1
2
3
4
Total
Gamecocks
3
7
17
14
41
Commodores
0
0
7
0
7
Statistics
SC
VAN
First downs
18
15
Total yards
485
249
Rushing yards
289
76
Passing yards
196
173
Turnovers
1
2
Time of possession
31:27
28:33
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
South Carolina
Passing
Collin Hill
16/24, 196 yards
Rushing
Kevin Harris
21 rushes, 171 yards, 2 TD
Receiving
Nick Muse
5 receptions, 85 yards
Vanderbilt
Passing
Ken Seals
17/24, 148 yards, TD
Rushing
Keyon Henry-Brooks
13 rushes, 72 yards
Receiving
Amir Abdur-Rahman
2 receptions, 46 yards
Ole Miss
1
2
3
4
Total
Rebels
21
12
21
0
54
Commodores
0
14
0
7
21
Statistics
MISS
VAN
First downs
35
24
Total yards
641
421
Rushing yards
192
102
Passing yards
449
319
Turnovers
1
3
Time of possession
29:52
30:08
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Ole Miss
Passing
Matt Corral
31/34, 412 yards, 6 TD
Rushing
Jerrion Ealy
15 rushes, 95 yards
Receiving
Elijah Moore
14 receptions, 238 yards, 3 TD
Vanderbilt
Passing
Ken Seals
31/40, 319 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing
Keyon Henry-Brooks
23 rushes, 66 yards, TD
Receiving
Camron Johnson
14 receptions, 97 yards
At Mississippi State
1
2
3
4
Total
Commodores
0
0
7
10
17
Bulldogs
14
3
0
7
24
Statistics
VAN
MSST
First downs
30
14
Total yards
478
204
Rushing yards
142
-22
Passing yards
336
226
Turnovers
5
0
Time of possession
32:10
27:50
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Vanderbilt
Passing
Ken Seals
31/46, 336 yards, TD, 3 INT
Rushing
Keyon Henry-Brooks
20 rushes, 115 yards, TD
Receiving
Camron Johnson
10 receptions, 114 yards
Mississippi State
Passing
Will Rogers
35/46, 226 yards, TD
Rushing
Jo'Quavious Marks
6 rushes, 10 yards, TD
Receiving
Malik Heath
9 receptions, 79 yards
At Kentucky
1
2
3
4
Total
Commodores
0
14
7
14
35
Wildcats
14
10
7
7
38
Statistics
VAN
UK
First downs
29
23
Total yards
407
458
Rushing yards
180
308
Passing yards
227
150
Turnovers
0
0
Time of possession
32:26
27:34
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Vanderbilt
Passing
Ken Seals
21/32, 225 yards, 2 TD
Rushing
Keyon Henry-Brooks
29 rushes, 121 yards
Receiving
Amir Abdur-Rahman
7 receptions, 89 yards
Kentucky
Passing
Terry Wilson
13/15, 110 yards, 2 TD
Rushing
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
13 rushes, 149 yards, 2 TD
Receiving
Keaton Upshaw
2 receptions, 41 yards, TD
No. 6 Florida
1
2
3
4
Total
No. 6 Gators
7
10
14
7
38
Commodores
10
0
7
0
17
Statistics
FLA
VAN
First downs
29
21
Total yards
586
406
Rushing yards
173
87
Passing yards
413
319
Turnovers
1
1
Time of possession
34:17
25:43
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Florida
Passing
Kyle Trask
26/35, 383 yards, 3 TD
Rushing
Dameon Pierce
11 rushes, 55 yards, TD
Receiving
Kadarius Toney
6 receptions, 107 yards, TD
Vanderbilt
Passing
Ken Seals
22/34, 319 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing
Mitchell Pryor
13 rushes, 44 yards
Receiving
Chris Pierce Jr.
4 receptions, 97 yards, 2 TD
At Missouri
1
2
3
4
Total
Commodores
0
0
0
0
0
Tigers
7
14
6
14
41
Statistics
VAN
MIZ
First downs
13
31
Total yards
185
603
Rushing yards
82
223
Passing yards
103
380
Turnovers
1
0
Time of possession
27:10
32:50
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Vanderbilt
Passing
Ken Seals
11/18, 79 yards
Rushing
Keyon Henry-Brooks
15 rushes, 64 yards
Receiving
Camron Johnson
5 receptions, 33 yards
Missouri
Passing
Connor Bazelak
30/37, 318 yards
Rushing
Larry Rountree III
21 rushes, 160 yards, 3 TD
Receiving
Tyler Badie
7 receptions, 102 yards
Tennessee
1
2
3
4
Total
Volunteers
7
21
7
7
42
Commodores
7
3
0
7
17
Statistics
TENN
VAN
First downs
24
16
Total yards
540
292
Rushing yards
212
53
Passing yards
328
239
Turnovers
2
1
Time of possession
33:37
26:23
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Tennessee
Passing
Harrison Bailey
14/18, 207 yards, 2 TD
Rushing
Eric Gray
13 rushes, 74 yards
Receiving
Velus Jones Jr.
7 receptions, 125 yards, 2 TD
Vanderbilt
Passing
Ken Seals
22/39, 239 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing
Keyon Henry-Brooks
20 rushes, 56 yards
Receiving
Amir Abdur-Rahman
3 receptions, 69 yards
Players drafted into the NFL
References
^ Sallee, Barrett (November 28, 2020). "Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller makes history as first woman to play in a Power Five college football game" . CBSSports.com . Retrieved November 27, 2024 .
^ "Vanderbilt's Sarah Fuller could be first woman to play in Power 5 football game" . ABC News . Retrieved November 28, 2020 .
^ "Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller makes history again as first woman to score points in Power Five game" . CBSSports.com . Retrieved December 12, 2020 .
^ Sparks, Adam (December 12, 2020). "Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller becomes first woman to score in Power Five college football game" . Nashville Tennessean . Retrieved December 12, 2020 .
^ "Preseason SEC media poll, All-SEC Team announced" . SECSports.com . Southeastern Conference. September 23, 2020.
^ Talty, John (July 30, 2020). "SEC moves to conference-only 2020 schedule, pushes back start of season" . AL.com . Retrieved July 30, 2020 .
^ Dellenger, Ross (July 30, 2020). "Sources: SEC Adopts Conference-Only Schedule With Sept. 26 Start" . Sports Illustrated . Retrieved July 30, 2020 .
^ Dellenger, Ross (August 7, 2020). "SEC's New Schedule: Winners, Losers and... Mizzou" . Sports Illustrated . Retrieved August 18, 2020 .
^ "Vanderbilt at Missouri Football Game Postponed" . SEC. October 13, 2020.
^ "2020 Football Schedule Announced" (Press release). Vanderbilt University Department of Athletics. August 7, 2019. Retrieved January 4, 2020 .
^ Toppmeyer, Blake; Sparks, Adam (November 23, 2020). "Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt postponed; Commodores to play Missouri" . The Tennessean . Nashville, Tennessee . Retrieved January 11, 2022 .
^ "Vanderbilt University Football Schedule: 2020 Season" . SEC.
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