2008 Music City Bowl – Vandy Upsets Boston College, 16-14, Claims First Bowl Victory in 53 Years

It is practically fitting and correct that Vanderbilt’s property is Nashville, Tennessee, the place all people sings like they are the next major region music star. Nashville is also property to the Audio Metropolis Bowl, wherever the Vanderbilt Commodores arrived of age New Year’s Eve (12-31-08) more rapidly than Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys’ beginning of bluegrass in the Deep South.

Vanderbilt arrived into the Music City Bowl as an underdog dealing with the Boston Higher education Eagles, who had been ranked 6th in the nation in least yards allowed and tops in the nation in turnovers. The Commodores, regardless of remaining held to 200 yards and only 1 conversion in 15 3rd-down makes an attempt, remaining the stadium with a 16-14 victory.

Though considerably small of the heroics and early triumphs of the Confederacy in the Civil War, Vanderbilt’s Southern contingent of players built some crucial history of their individual.

1) They utilized a 45-garden-subject intention by Bryant Hahnfeldt with 3:26 still left in the 4th quarter to acquire a bowl recreation for the very first time in 53 a long time, bringing to head Vanderbilt’s 25-13 victory in excess of Auburn in the 1955 Gator Bowl.

2) They got the monkey off of their again, a 28-12 months drought-the SEC’s longest-due to the fact they last played in a bowl recreation.

3) They logged their to start with profitable period (7-6) considering that the begin of the drought 28 decades back.

4) They broke Boston College’s 8-video game winning streak in bowl play, the longest in the nation.

5) They expense Boston College or university a probability at ending with at least 10 wins for a 3rd-straight year. The Eagles were being participating in in a bowl activity for the 10th consecutive calendar year. The Eagle, which flew straight and legitimate for 8 consecutive bowl victories, now has a damaged wing, many thanks to the Commodores.

Now they can legitimately get umbrage when their opponents, the media and fans refer to them as “cellar dwellers” and “the worst workforce in the SEC”. Let us see now, which SEC groups misplaced bowl games this 12 months? Oh certainly, it was Alabama and South Carolina. Hail to the Commodores! This is The usa, we like underdogs who rise to the top, who, by the sweat of their brow, elevate themselves up by their bootstraps, and win.

How did they do it? With specific groups play. Junior Brett Upson averaged 42+ yards on 9 punts with a very long punt of 58 yards he was named the game’s Most Worthwhile Participant. Senior Bryant Hahnfeldt aced discipline plans from 28 and 42 yards in advance of his game-winning kick of 45 yards and a life time of glory (what a way to close a university taking part in career).

Freshman defensive again Sean Richardson accounted for Vanderbilt’s only touchdown when he fell on a punt that bounced off the left knee of Boston College’s Paul Anderson in the 3rd quarter. Officers dominated it a landing and the replay overview validated the get in touch with. For Sean Richardson is was all about being in the suitable location at the suitable time (also occasionally recognised as luck).

Following the activity, Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson was gushing: “I guess everybody can figure out we’re very content. We’re thrilled to gain the Music Town Bowl ideal below in Nashville in our hometown. We stored our composure and produced some massive plays when we experienced to. It may not have been the prettiest victory in the planet, but it is for us now.”

Well claimed, Bobby. It is refreshing to uncover somebody in sports today with a little perception of gratitude. We now have too many self-significant superstars with much more revenue and moi than humility and gratitude for their great fortune.

The Commodores completed their successful season at 7-6 whilst Boston College had to settle for a 9-5 history.

Copyright © 2009 Ed Bagley