Vandy has used USC as springboard

HOOVER, Ala. — Bobby Johnson provided Wednesday the same genuine, self-deprecating brand of humor he always does during his address here at the SEC's Media Days.

But something was different about the eighth-year Vanderbilt coach. Something glimmering. Something on his hand.

Johnson was wearing the ring from Vanderbilt's Music City Bowl victory, the school's first postseason appearance since 1982 and first bowl win since 1955.

"I know he was wearing that with pride," senior cornerback Myron Lewis said.

Consider this: Vanderbilt won one more bowl game last year than Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Are the Commodores still among the league's have-nots? Wearing rings seems to indicate the answer is no.

"It was nice to get that big, 26-year monkey off our backs," senior center Bradley Vierling said. "We finally got that feeling. We want more of it."

Johnson, a Columbia native, and other South Carolinians on the Vandy staff such as offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell never make much of a pregame point about beating the Gamecocks. No more than getting past any other team, really.

But Vierling said he's noticed a difference in their demeanors after victories against USC in each of the past two seasons.

"After every win (against the Gamecocks), it's just a little sweeter for them," Vierling said. "They get those bragging rights. ... It seems like it's a big deal for them."

They're getting used to the feeling, seems like.

After stunning the 6-1 Gamecocks two years ago, Vanderbilt knocked off USC early last season in a Thursday night game televised by ESPN.

"We'd never played on a Thursday night on ESPN," Vierling said. "We were fired up, big time."

Vierling's eyes lit up as, without being prompted, he went through the season's highlights in the aftermath of that 24-17 victory against USC.

The Commodores managed to get a road win at Ole Miss, a team that came alive as the year went along. Then they squeaked by Auburn in another game featured on ESPN. GameDay even visited Vandy for that one.

Another win the players talked about as a highlight was against Kentucky.

The Wildcats had provided a bowl roadblock on a few occasions. But not last season.

Once in the bowl, even though it came at home, the Commodores came through with a victory that just enhanced the history the team had made.

"I think it was satisfying, but it was also necessary for our program to move forward," Johnson said. "Anytime you do better than what you've done in the past, it's satisfying to test your program to see if you're making progress."

So, where does Vanderbilt go from here?

Well, for one thing, recruiting's gotten a bit easier. Kids now believe that Vandy can win, because the Commodores have.

"We're much better on the food chain," Johnson said, "as far as recruiting goes."

And then there's the challenge of conditioning. The Commodores have the unfortunate rarity of playing 12 consecutive weeks this fall, with their open dates falling before and after their season.

"I'm really not happy about it," Johnson said. "I don't think there's anything anybody could do to avoid it. We certainly would have if we could have. In fact, you know, we tried to fix it up a little bit last year when we found out it would work out that way, but we just couldn't get it done."

Consecutive game No. 8 on the schedule? Looking for a third consecutive victory against South Carolina, Vanderbilt visits Columbia on Oct. 24.

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com and check out the South Carolina blog at www.postandcourier.com/blogs/gamecocks.