Commodores at a glance

2001 schedule Aug. 30 vs. Middle Tenn. St. Sept. 8 vs. Alabama Sept. 15 at Mississippi Sept. 22 vs. Richmond Sept.29 vs. Auburn Oct. 13 vs. Georgia Oct. 20 at South Carolina Oct. 27 at Duke Nov. 3 at Florida Nov. 10 vs. Kentucky Nov. 24 at Tennessee 2000 results (3-8, 1-7 SEC) Miami Ohio L 33-30 at Alabama L 28-10 Mississippi L 12-7 Duke W 26-7 at Auburn L 33-0 at Wake Forest W 17-10 at Georgia L 29-19 South Carolina L 30-14 Florida L 43-20 at Kentucky W 24-20 Tennessee L 28-26

Under Widenhofer, the Commodores were close to turning the corner in '99 when they finished 5-6. Preventing them from going to a bowl game were heartbreaking losses to Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Kentucky. While the defense was super strong, they just couldn't muster enough offense to pull out several of the close, winnable games.

After a disappointing 3-8 season last year, Widenhofer finds himself in a tough position, with several key graduation losses on both sides of the ball. Unfortunately, the defense took most of the hits. Gone are NT Ryan Aulds, linebackers Winborn and Matt Stewart and CB Jimmy Williams. Also gone is kicker John Markham, drafted in the fifth round by the New York Giants.

OFFENSE
While the defense carried the Commodores in past years under Widenhofer, in the coming season it should be the offense. But based on the serious problems this unit has had moving the football, there will be plenty of doubters heading into this season.

Veteran QB Greg Zolman, a fifth-year senior, has come a long way, throwing for nearly 2,500 yards last season, the most by a Vanderbilt QB since '88. While the lefty threw more interceptions (14) than TDs (13) and completed just 52.8 percent of his passes, Zolman was hampered by a number of drops by the Commodore receivers. Benji Walker, a third-year sophomore who provides the athleticism necessary to improvise when things break down, has the edge over former Florida Gator Tim Olmstead for the backup job heading into the fall.

The primary target for Zolman will be junior wideout Dan Stricker, a 6-3, 200-pounder who caught 61 passes last year and averaged over 16 yards per reception. The problem last year was that Stricker was the only real threat. The goal in the spring was to identify another option. The possibilities include sophomore Chris Young, junior Anthony Jones and junior M.J. Garrett. In the Commodores three-WR set, Young and Jones will likely open as the starters along with Stricker. While Jones has been expected to become the big-play weapon, he needs to develop the consistency to live up to his potential. The recruiting emphasis was obviously on improving the talent of the receiving corps. Six freshman join the corps in the fall, highlighted by speedy 6-3, 210-pound Jerrin Holt and 6-1, 180-pound Jason Mathenia.

Looking at the ground attack, sophomore Ray Perkins appears to have the slight edge over senior Rodney Williams for the starting job in the one-back set. With his speed, Perkins has the ability to turn the corner, while Williams is stronger.

There is some work to be done up front in order to develop an effective offensive line. The top lineman figures to be center Jamie Byrum, although you have to be intrigued with the physical ability and potential of senior RT Pat Green, who checks in at 6-7 and 340 pounds.

DEFENSE
Defensively, Widenhofer has developed a great deal of quality talent over the years. This was the case especially at LB, with names such as Shelton Quarles, Antony Jordan, Jamie Duncan, Jamie Winborn and Matt Stewart.

The top LB for the Commodores this season should be fifth-year senior OLB Nate Morrow, a 6-4, 250-pounder who figures to be the tackles leader. Antuian Bradford, a co-captain and rugged 6-0, 230-pound senior, will be looking to pick up the slack caused by the loss of Winborn to the NFL.

The defensive front is a questionable area. Replacing NT Ryan Aulds will be sophomore Brett Beard. At DE, senior Wally Conyers has added weight to his 6-7 frame (up to 268 pounds). The hope is that Conyers will be more of a force with his wingspan and pass-rush potential. On the other side, senior Doyle Crosby needs to step up his performance.

The defense's strength figures to be the deep patrol. The key will be how effective a job new starter Aaron McWhorter, a junior, does in replacing Jimmy Williams at one of the CB spots. Lorenzo Parker, a sophomore with outstanding recovery speed, could also figure in. Senior FS Harold Lercius is the veteran leader in the secondary.

SPECIAL TEAMS
The big question on special teams is who will replace kicker John Markham. His loss is critical. Markham was practically automatic inside of 40 yards and he was an effective kickoff man. The possibility exists that freshman Lance Garner could ultimately win the job. The punter will be capable fifth-year senior Joe Webb, with hang time his strength.

Overview: In the super-tough SEC, the Commodores again figure to struggle. While the offense could be a bit more effective with a veteran like Zolman directing things and Stricker ranking as one of the conference's more reliable wideouts, the defense doesn't have the star power that was evident in recent years under Widenhofer. Conyers will have to become a force at DE, while Beard has to make up for the graduation loss of Aulds at NT. Morrow is a solid SEC LB, while Bradford is both tough and instinctive on the inside.