# 2021 Vanderbilt Commodores football team

The 2021 Vanderbilt Commodores football team represented Vanderbilt University in the 2021 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 first-year head coach Clark Lea.

## Staff

| Name | Position | Consecutive season at Vanderbilt in current position |
| Clark Lea | Head coach | 1st |
| David Raih | Offensive coordinator/wide receivers | 1st |
| Jesse Minter | Defensive coordinator/safeties coach | 1st |
| Justin Lustig | Special teams coordinator/ tight ends coach | 1st |
| Joey Lynch | Pass game coordinator/quarterbacks coach | 1st |
| AJ Blazek | Offensive line coach | 1st |
| Norval McKenzie | Run game coordinator/running backs coach | 1st |
| Jovan Haye | Defensive ends coach | 1st |
| Inoke Breckterfield | Defensive tackles Coach | 1st |
| John Egorugwu | Linebackers coach | 1st |
| Lamar Morgan | Cornerbacks coach | 1st |

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 4 | 7:00 p.m. | East Tennessee State* | Vanderbilt StadiumNashville, TN | ESPN+/SECN+ | L 3–23 | 22,029 |
| September 11 | 9:00 p.m. | at Colorado State* | Canvas StadiumFort Collins, CO | CBSSN | W 24–21 | 27,233 |
| September 18 | 7:00 p.m. | Stanford* | Vanderbilt StadiumNashville, TN | ESPNU | L 23–41 | 21,124 |
| September 25 | 11:00 a.m. | No. 2 Georgia | Vanderbilt StadiumNashville, TN (rivalry) | SECN | L 0–62 | 32,178 |
| October 2 | 6:30 p.m. | UConn* | Vanderbilt StadiumNashville, TN | ESPNU | W 30–28 | 21,218 |
| October 9 | 11:00 a.m. | at No. 20 Florida | Ben Hill Griffin StadiumGainesville, FL | SECN | L 0–42 | 86,258 |
| October 16 | 3:00 p.m. | at South Carolina | Williams–Brice StadiumColumbia, SC | SECN | L 20–21 | 64,695 |
| October 23 | 3:00 p.m. | Mississippi State | Vanderbilt StadiumNashville, TN | SECN | L 6–45 | 22,036 |
| October 30 | 2:00 p.m. | Missouri | Vanderbilt StadiumNashville, TN | SECN | L 28–37 | 19,821 |
| November 13 | 6:00 p.m. | Kentucky | Vanderbilt StadiumNashville, TN (rivalry) | ESPN2 | L 17–34 | 25,798 |
| November 20 | 6:30 p.m. | at No. 12 Ole Miss | Vaught–Hemingway StadiumOxford, MS (rivalry) | SECN | L 17–31 | 50,819 |
| November 27 | 2:45 p.m. | at Tennessee | Neyland StadiumKnoxville, TN (rivalry) | SECN | L 21–45 | 77,349 |
| *Non-conference gameRankings from AP Poll (and CFP Rankings, after November 2) - Released prior to gameAll times are in Central time |||||||

## Game summaries
### East Tennessee State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Buccaneers | 0 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 23 |
| Commodores | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Statistics
| Statistics | ETSU | VAN |
| First downs | 13 | 23 |
| Total yards | 314 | 321 |
| Rushing yards | 179 | 85 |
| Passing yards | 135 | 236 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 32:47 | 27:13 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| East Tennessee State | Passing | Tyler Riddell | 13/22, 135 yards, TD |
| East Tennessee State | Rushing | Quay Holmes | 23 rushes, 149 yards |
| East Tennessee State | Receiving | Will Huzzie | 4 receptions, 62 yards |
| Vanderbilt | Passing | Ken Seals | 20/35, 195 yards, 2 INT |
| Vanderbilt | Rushing | Re'Mahn Davis | 15 rushes, 58 yards |
| Vanderbilt | Receiving | Will Sheppard | 9 receptions, 84 yards |

### At Colorado State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Commodores | 0 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 24 |
| Rams | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
Statistics
| Statistics | VAN | CSU |
| First downs | 21 | 20 |
| Total yards | 342 | 445 |
| Rushing yards | 104 | 207 |
| Passing yards | 238 | 238 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 35:27 | 24:33 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Vanderbilt | Passing | Ken Seals | 27/42, 238 yards, 2 TD |
| Vanderbilt | Rushing | Re'Mahn Davis | 17 rushes, 77 yards |
| Vanderbilt | Receiving | Chris Pierce Jr. | 4 receptions, 76 yards, TD |
| Colorado State | Passing | Todd Centeio | 20/38, 238 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Colorado State | Rushing | David Bailey | 15 rushes, 80 yards, TD |
| Colorado State | Receiving | Trey McBride | 8 receptions, 114 yards, TD |

### Stanford

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinal | 14 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 41 |
| Commodores | 7 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 23 |
Statistics
| Statistics | STAN | VAN |
| First downs | 20 | 23 |
| Total yards | 422 | 398 |
| Rushing yards | 204 | 247 |
| Passing yards | 218 | 151 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 28:38 | 31:22 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Stanford | Passing | Tanner McKee | 19/29, 218 yards, 2 TD |
| Stanford | Rushing | Austin Jones | 7 rushes, 80 yards |
| Stanford | Receiving | Brycen Tremayne | 5 receptions, 54 yards TD |
| Vanderbilt | Passing | Ken Seals | 16/37, 120 yards, TD, INT |
| Vanderbilt | Rushing | Rocko Griffin | 19 rushes, 107 yards |
| Vanderbilt | Receiving | Chris Pierce Jr. | 6 receptions, 52 yards |

### No. 2 Georgia

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 2 Bulldogs | 35 | 3 | 17 | 7 | 62 |
| Commodores | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Statistics
| Statistics | UGA | VAN |
| First downs | 28 | 4 |
| Total yards | 532 | 77 |
| Rushing yards | 241 | 53 |
| Passing yards | 291 | 24 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 37:16 | 22:44 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Georgia | Passing | Stetson Bennett | 11/15, 151 yards, TD, INT |
| Georgia | Rushing | Zamir White | 9 rushes, 48 yards, TD |
| Georgia | Receiving | Brock Bowers | 4 receptions, 69 yards, 2 TD |
| Vanderbilt | Passing | Mike Wright | 3/9, 16 yards, INT |
| Vanderbilt | Rushing | Mike Wright | 8 rushes, 41 yards |
| Vanderbilt | Receiving | Cam Johnson | 1 reception, 10 yards |

### UConn

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Huskies | 6 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 28 |
| Commodores | 3 | 14 | 0 | 13 | 30 |
Statistics
| Statistics | CONN | VAN |
| First downs | 24 | 23 |
| Total yards | 523 | 439 |
| Rushing yards | 192 | 106 |
| Passing yards | 331 | 333 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 28:10 | 31:50 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| UConn | Passing | Steven Krajewski | 18/34, 264 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT |
| UConn | Rushing | Nathan Carter | 24 rushes, 123 yards |
| UConn | Receiving | Keelan Marion | 4 receptions, 102 yards, TD |
| Vanderbilt | Passing | Ken Seals | 27/40, 333 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Vanderbilt | Rushing | Rocko Griffin | 19 rushes, 77 yards, TD |
| Vanderbilt | Receiving | Will Sheppard | 8 receptions, 119 yards, 2 TD |

### At No. 20 Florida

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Commodores | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| No. 20 Gators | 14 | 7 | 21 | 0 | 42 |
Statistics
| Statistics | VAN | FLA |
| First downs | 18 | 18 |
| Total yards | 287 | 479 |
| Rushing yards | 88 | 181 |
| Passing yards | 199 | 298 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 36:10 | 23:50 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Vanderbilt | Passing | Ken Seals | 22/43, 192 yards, 2 INT |
| Vanderbilt | Rushing | Patrick Smith | 17 rushes, 75 yards |
| Vanderbilt | Receiving | Cam Johnson | 4 receptions, 49 yards |
| Florida | Passing | Emory Jones | 14/22, 273 yards, 4 TD, INT |
| Florida | Rushing | Nay'Quan Wright | 7 rushes, 46 yards |
| Florida | Receiving | Jacob Copeland | 5 receptions, 79 yards, TD |

### At South Carolina

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Commodores | 3 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
| Gamecocks | 14 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
Statistics
| Statistics | VAN | SC |
| First downs | 15 | 17 |
| Total yards | 312 | 434 |
| Rushing yards | 106 | 117 |
| Passing yards | 206 | 317 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 4 |
| Time of possession | 31:13 | 28:47 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Vanderbilt | Passing | Mike Wright | 11/21, 206 yards, TD, INT |
| Vanderbilt | Rushing | Rocko Griffin | 18 rushes, 57 yards, TD |
| Vanderbilt | Receiving | Will Sheppard | 3 receptions, 120 yards, TD |
| South Carolina | Passing | Luke Doty | 17/27, 242 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT |
| South Carolina | Rushing | ZaQuandre White | 12 rushes, 65 yards |
| South Carolina | Receiving | Jaheim Bell | 6 receptions, 136 yards, TD |

### Mississippi State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bulldogs | 10 | 14 | 7 | 14 | 45 |
| Commodores | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
Statistics
| Statistics | MSST | VAN |
| First downs | 29 | 5 |
| Total yards | 522 | 155 |
| Rushing yards | 61 | 9 |
| Passing yards | 461 | 146 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 39:02 | 20:58 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Mississippi State | Passing | Will Rogers | 41/57, 384 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT |
| Mississippi State | Rushing | Dillon Johnson | 7 carries, 34 yards |
| Mississippi State | Receiving | Jaden Walley | 5 receptions, 72 yards |
| Vanderbilt | Passing | Mike Wright | 12/17, 122 yards, 1 INT |
| Vanderbilt | Rushing | Rocko Griffin | 7 carries, 12 yards |
| Vanderbilt | Receiving | Devin Boddie Jr. | 4 receptions, 69 yards |

### Missouri

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Tigers | 10 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 37 |
| Commodores | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
Statistics
| Statistics | MIZ | VAN |
| First downs | 23 | 20 |
| Total yards | 502 | 380 |
| Rushing yards | 284 | 258 |
| Passing yards | 218 | 122 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 33:45 | 26:15 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Missouri | Passing | Connor Bazelak | 22/28, 218 yards, TD, INT |
| Missouri | Rushing | Tyler Badie | 31 carries, 254 yards, 2 TD |
| Missouri | Receiving | Keke Chism | 4 receptions, 95 yards, TD |
| Vanderbilt | Passing | Mike Wright | 14/28, 122 yards, 3 TD, INT |
| Vanderbilt | Rushing | Mike Wright | 14 carries, 152 yards |
| Vanderbilt | Receiving | Chris Pierce Jr. | 4 receptions, 54 yards |

### Kentucky

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Wildcats | 7 | 24 | 0 | 3 | 34 |
| Commodores | 3 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 17 |
Statistics
| Statistics | UK | VAN |
| First downs | 21 | 16 |
| Total yards | 413 | 266 |
| Rushing yards | 236 | 96 |
| Passing yards | 177 | 170 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 29:46 | 30:14 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Kentucky | Passing | Will Levis | 14/22, 177 yards, 2 TD’s, 1 INT |
| Kentucky | Rushing | Chris Rodriguez Jr. | 16 carries, 144 yards, 1 TD |
| Kentucky | Receiving | Wan'Dale Robinson | 6 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD |
| Vanderbilt | Passing | Ken Seals | 12/17, 87 yards, 1 INT |
| Vanderbilt | Rushing | Patrick Smith | 18 carries, 84 yards |
| Vanderbilt | Receiving | Chris Pierce Jr | 6 receptions, 69 yards, 1 TD |

### At No. 12 Ole Miss

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Commodores | 3 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 17 |
| No. 12 Rebels | 10 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 31 |
Statistics
| Statistics | VAN | MISS |
| First downs | 25 | 23 |
| Total yards | 454 | 470 |
| Rushing yards | 241 | 326 |
| Passing yards | 213 | 144 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 38:57 | 21:03 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Vanderbilt | Passing | Mike Wright | 22/44, 242 yards, 1 INT |
| Vanderbilt | Rushing | Rocko Griffin | 26 carries, 117 yards, 1 TD |
| Vanderbilt | Receiving | Chris Pierce Jr. | 10 receptions, 113 yards |
| Ole Miss | Passing | Matt Corral | 27/36, 326 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT |
| Ole Miss | Rushing | Jerrion Ealy | 9 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD |
| Ole Miss | Receiving | Jahcour Pearson | 4 receptions, 101 yards |

### At Tennessee

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Commodores | 0 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 21 |
| Volunteers | 7 | 17 | 14 | 7 | 45 |
Statistics
| Statistics | VAN | TENN |
| First downs | 18 | 25 |
| Total yards | 321 | 441 |
| Rushing yards | 115 | 285 |
| Passing yards | 206 | 156 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 38:16 | 21:44 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Vanderbilt | Passing | Mike Wright | 16/31, 198 yards, TD, INT |
| Vanderbilt | Rushing | Rocko Griffin | 30 carries, 104 yards, TD |
| Vanderbilt | Receiving | Will Sheppard | 5 receptions, 98 yards, TD |
| Tennessee | Passing | Hendon Hooker | 10/18, 156 yards, 2 TD |
| Tennessee | Rushing | Jaylen Wright | 15 carries, 112 yards, TD |
| Tennessee | Receiving | Cedric Tillman | 6 receptions, 106 yards, 2 TD |