Your guide to the Commodores during fall camp with updates throughout the preseason.
ASK A DORE: We're accepting questions for members of the football team during preseason camp. Submit your questions now, and players will answer them on video. Ask your question
Vanderbilt Head Coach James Franklin met with the media following Tuesday's practice at the John Rich Practice Complex. Tuesday marked the final day of preseason camp with classes beginning on campus Wednesday.
"Yesterday, we were a little inconsistent, but I felt this was probably our best practice," Franklin said. "We did some things to change up practice, which I think helped us. We had the music, had the crowd noise, had the fight song going, so I thought we had a heck of a practice today."
Tuesday's final practice of preseason camp also marks the conclusion of VUCommodores' preseason camp blog. We appreciate everyone for reading throughout camp.
Scrimmage photos
AUG 20 10:05 PM
The Vanderbilt defense forced five turnovers and limited their offensive counterparts to just a pair of touchdowns in the Commodores' 99-play scrimmage inside Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday evening. Check out the full report from the session including interviews with Coach Franklin and senior quarterback Larry Smith.
I like to move it
AUG 20 3:36 PM
Football head coach James Franklin joined Vanderbilt's Move Crew early Saturday morning to welcome first-year students to campus.
It was no easy task for the group of volunteers with approximately 1,600 freshmen moving into dorms at The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons over a five-hour span on a hot summer day.
Families parked their vehicles in front of the residence halls and the Move Crew, comprised of Vanderbilt University staff and upperclassmen, had the job of unloading and transporting the items into the rooms as quickly as possible to keep the line moving.
Franklin saw it as an opportunity to interact with new students while giving back to the university.
"We're just getting out and trying to help the freshmen," Franklin said. "We're going to need their help during the season, and they need our help right now, so we're here to help them."
(Photo Credit: John Russell/Vanderbilt University)
Back to work
AUG 20 11:45 AM
The Commodores were up bright and early for another day of preseason camp. The team finished their walk-through on the practice field a short while ago in preparation for tonight's closed scrimmage inside Vanderbilt Stadium.
Coach Franklin also spent the morning helping freshmen students move into their residence halls on campus. Check the blog later today for footage.
Let's go bowling
AUG 20 8:02 AM
Following an intense morning practice and team and position meetings on Friday, head coach James Franklin brought his squad together for what was supposed to be one final talk before the evening session of two-a-days. Franklin had other plans and decided to let his team in on the surprise.
Ask A Dore
AUG 20 7:39 AM
In the second edition of Ask A Dore during preseason camp, linebacker Tristan Strong, defensive back Eddie Foster and offensive lineman Kyle Fischer answered questions that were submitted by fans.
Watch to see if the Commodores' answered your question. To submit questions for future Ask A Dore videos, click here.
Friday morning photo gallery
AUG 19 2:30 PM
Defensive back Casey Hayward is congratulated by head coach James Franklin after pulling down an interception during the morning practice of the team's final two-a-day. In the session, the Commodores focused on individual drills and 11-on-11 action.
Vanderbilt Head Coach James Franklin met with the media following Friday's morning practice. Today is the last day the Commodores will stage two practices. Class begins on campus next Wednesday.
Fort Campbell soldiers visit
AUG 18 8:27 PM
Four soldiers from the U.S. Army's esteemed 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell spent Thursday afternoon with the Commodores at the invitation of head coach James Franklin.
At Franklin's request, Lt. Col. Sean Davis addressed the team during a meeting before practice. His message focused on the importance of discipline and building mental and physical toughness, traits needed both in conflict and on the gridiron.
Coach Franklin teaches the "VU" hand gesture to Fort Campbell soldiers, from left, Staff Sergeant Abraham Rosales, Captain Patrick Glass, Lt. Col. Sean Davis and Captain Joe Thompson.
Camping with Joe: TE tandem
AUG 18 6:01 PM
The Voice of the Commodores Joe Fisher reports from camp on how the football team will have to balance preseason practice with the start of fall classes. Plus, Fisher spotlights the tight end tandem of Brandon Barden and Austin Monahan.
Franklin directs the Spirit of Gold
AUG 18 12:43 PM
Vanderbilt Head Coach James Franklin took time out of his busy schedule to make a surprise appearance at band practice this afternoon. Upon his arrival, Band Director Dr. Dwayne Sagen conducted the band to play songs for Franklin. Sagen then handed the reigns over to Franklin who climbed up a platform and led the band in Dynamite.
"It was a total surprise to the band for him to stop by," Sagen said. "He brings so much energy to his football program and all of the university."
Before conducting the band, Franklin encouraged them to have fun in everything they do, and to help make gamedays special.
"One thing that I ask is that when you guys play, have fun," Franklin told the band. "I want you guys to get into it and make gamedays a party for you guys in the stands and for us on the field. Let's go out there and have a great college experience and enjoy our time together."
Franklin then thanked the band members for the role they play on campus and invited the band to attend a football practice session.
"It is great that he is telling the band he is part of his program," Sagen said. "The students really enjoyed meeting him and it was so much fun having him conduct the band."
Franklin's visit to band practice came a little more than a week after Sagen attended a football team meeting to go over the lyrics to Dynamite. Watch the video here.
Check back later for a video of Franklin conducting the band.
In the first edition of Ask A Dore during preseason football camp, defensive tackle Colt Nichter, place kicker Ryan Fowler and receiver Jonathan Krause answered questions that were submitted by fans.
Vanderbilt wrapped up its first of two practices on Wednesday shortly before 11 a.m. The second practice will be held at 5:25 p.m. Following the morning session, Head Coach James Franklin met with the media. Watch the post-practice interview here.
104.5 Broadcasts from McGugin
AUG 17 9:47 AM
Mark Howard, Kevin Ingram and Frank Wycheck from the Wake-Up Zone show on 104.5 FM broadcasted live from the patio overlooking the Vanderbilt practice fields at the McGugin Center on Wednesday morning. The four-hour show is currently airing as the Commodores begin their first of two practices for the day.
The show has had a strong Vanderbilt presence with interviews with Head Coach James Franklin, Director of Performance Enhancement Dwight Galt and "Voice of the Commodores" Joe Fisher. Listen to the interviews below.
Mr. C, the world famous mascot, received tips from tight end Brandon Barden and defensive tackle T.J. Greenstone following lunch on Tuesday. Sources have hinted that Mr. C may return to the gridiron this fall with his position to be determined. Where would you like to see him line up?
Working on the turf
AUG 16 10:29 AM
The final piece of new sod was placed on Dudley Field on July 13, and work has continued on the field since. On Tuesday morning, a member of the grounds crew had a roller on the field to help flatten the surface.
Let there be light
AUG 15 3:32 PM
With gameday quickly approaching, crews are going through the final stages of preparing Vanderbilt Stadium for kickoff. On Monday afternoon, the stadium lights were on as workers inspected each bulb.
T.J. Greenstone interviews Larry Smith
AUG 15 12:41 PM
In his update from preseason camp, Vanderbilt defensive tackle T.J. Greenstone interviews quarterback Larry Smith following Monday's morning practice.
Franklin's interview
AUG 15 12:00 PM
Today is Vanderbilt's third two-a-day of preseason camp. The Commodores wrapped up practice around 11 a.m. Monday morning and will return to the field at 5:25 p.m. tonight. Coach Franklin met with the media following Monday's morning practice.
Fans share thoughts on Coach Franklin
AUG 14 2:51 PM
Around 300 people attended Vanderbilt's open football practice Saturday morning on campus. VUcommodores.com talked to a couple of fans during the session to get their opinions on head coach James Franklin. Watch Video
Dores thank fans for attending practice
AUG 13 11:40 AM
At the conclusion of practice Saturday morning, head coach James Franklin and the Commodores ran to the sidelines to personally thank each fan in attendance at the open session. Watch Video
Open for business
AUG 13 10:03 AM
Vanderbilt fans had their first opportunity to get a look at Coach Franklin's squad Saturday morning during the Commodores' open practice session at the John Rich Practice Facility.
