Bowl Week Rundown

As Vanderbilt and Cincinnati arrived in the Birthplace of Rock 'n Roll yesterday, much of the news coverage focused on the full-circle story of Chris Marve, who will be playing his final game in a Commodore uniform in his hometown.  It's hard to think of higher words of praise than what DC Bob Shoop had to say of his star middle linebacker: “Somebody asked me why we had success on defense,” he said.  “It’s Chris Marve.  He gave me credibility right off the bat.”

Apparently Marve, who Chris Low dubs "Mr. Vanderbilt" in this interview, has been scrounging for tickets everywhere he can find them, as he expects about 100 friends and family members at the game.  VSL Nation will recall that Marve is part of a select group -- along with Brandon Barden, Kyle Fischer, Tim Fugger, T.J. Greenstone, Casey Hayward, Sean Richardson, Larry Smith, and Udom Umoh -- who have the honor of leading the first senior class in VU history to make it to two bowl games in the course of their college careers.

The word out of Cincy is that the Bearcats are "wary" of Jordan Rodgers' bloodlines and the fact that he is personally accounting for nearly 260 yards per game as a starter.

The Commercial Appeal has a great article about CJF having the "right formula" for success at Vanderbilt, mostly because of how he has endeared himself to his players.  The article also notes a number of areas in which the Commodores have improved from last year to this year:

Record: 6-6, 2-10: +4
Scoring offense: 26.9, 16.9: +10.0
Total offense: 342.8, 298.2: +44.6
Rushing TDs: 24, 13: +11
Total defense: 324.6, 419.2: +94.6
Scoring defense: 20.8, 31.2: +10.4
Rushing defense: 123.0, 193.0: +70
Rushing TDs allowed: 10, 25: + 15
Red zone TDs scored: 23, 14: +9
Red zone TDs allowed: 16, 29: +13

As for bowl week activities, you can follow the team's every move by checking Brandon Barca's regular blog updates at VUCommodores.com.  Apparently every player gets a $200 shopping spree at Best Buy for playing in this game.  If more than 10% of those gift cards are spent on items other than video games, Charlie Strong will be shocked.

If you're looking for fan funtivities, here is a handy schedule of events, courtesy of VU.  Order tickets for any and all of these events by visiting this website and following the links.
 

Thursday, December 29

B.B. King’s Vanderbilt Party

B.B. King’s Blues Club

143 Beale Street

6 p.m.

$10 a person (pay at door). Open to all fans.

Live entertainment, appetizers and beer provided by Budweiser of Memphis. The special bowl edition of the James Franklin Call-In Show will also air live from B.B. King’s from 6-7 p.m. At 8 p.m., cheer for the men’s basketball team when the TVs tune to the Vanderbilt vs. Marquette game.

Friday, December 30

AutoZone Liberty Bowl Parade

Beale Street

3 p.m.

Free and open to the public.

Featuring the Spirit of Gold Marching Band and the Vanderbilt cheerleaders and dance team.

Bash On Beale Street Pep Rally

Handy Park on Beale Street

5 p.m.

Free and open to the public.

Featuring the Spirit of Gold Marching Band and the Vanderbilt cheerleaders and dance team.

Vanderbilt Bowl Kickoff Celebration

AutoZone Park

6–8 p.m.

Cost: $30 for adults, $10 for ages 6 to 12, free for 5 and under. Purchase children’s tickets at the door. Open to all Vanderbilt fans.

After the pep rally, head north down Third Avenue to AutoZone Park for the kickoff celebration. Featuring world-famous Rendezvous barbecue (pork, chicken, sausage and all the sides). Cash bar with beer and wine.

President’s Gala Dinner and Dance

Peabody Hotel

7 p.m. cocktail reception, 8 p.m. dinner and dancing

Open to all fans. $175 a person. Black tie optional.

Come dance the night away with three-time Grammy Award winners KC and The Sunshine Band.

Saturday, December 31

Indoor Tailgate and Pep Rally

Pipkin and Creative Arts buildings (adjacent to stadium)

11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Open to all fans. $35 a person

One of the largest indoor pregame parties in the nation. All you can eat and drink from Pig-N-Whistle barbecue, with sides, soft drinks, beer and mixed drinks included. The Spirit of Gold Marching Band will perform.

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium

2:30 p.m. kickoff

Commodore New Year’s Eve Bash

Peabody Hotel

Venetian Room

9 p.m.–1 a.m.

Open to all fans. $30 a person. Full cash bar.

The Peabody will have a $15 entrance fee on New Year’s Eve for those who haven’t preordered tickets for this event and aren’t guests of the hotel. Come ring in the New Year with the Commodores! Enjoy a sumptuous spread of desserts and coffee, and a midnight toast with guest deejay Vice Chancellor for University Affairs David Williams II!