Vanderbilt set to host Austin Peay to kick off 2026-2027 season
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Vanderbilt Commodores will begin their season at home on Saturday night against Austin Peay State University.
While the Commodores will make their 2026-2027 season debut, Austin Peay already has a win under its belt, beating Gardner-Webb, 35-17.
Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea broke down what he saw on from APSU's first win of the season over Gardner-Webb at his press conference on Tuesday.
Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea addresses quarterback decision for week 1"Well, they had a dominating win and a really strong performance. I think I saw physical play on both sides of the line of scrimmage," Lea said. "When I watch them play, I see identity, and I think that's so important anymore. You see a group that's motivated and inspired to play together, but when Gardner-Webb gave them chances to get up and over the top, they capitalized on that. And I thought that they were able to separate in chunks."
"And then the defense was opportunistic. They were able to get off the field on a couple of fourth downs, end series and drives without points...," Lea continued. "This is a team that is going to have a chip on their shoulder, and we need to make sure that we have not just the same attitude, but we again have that Vanderbilt football attitude when they play...."
APSU had five receivers with at least 23 yards per reception in its win over the Runnin' Bulldogs, so look for the Governors to continue to find success in the passing game against Vanderbilt this weekend.
As for Vanderbilt, much of the focus on Saturday night will be centered around quarterbacks Blaze Berlowitz and Jared Curtis. Berlowitz beat out the former five-star prospect for the start against Austin Peay, so it will be up to him to keep his job as the starter.
Lea already announced both quarterbacks will play in the game, giving both an opportunity to show the Vanderbilt coaching staff and fans what they bring to the offense in a game setting.
Saturday night will also give the public a chance to see which skill players on the offense will step up with the departures of Mackey Award winning tight end Eli Stowers (NFL Draft) and wide receiver Tre Richardson (transfer portal).
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"Us establishing a physical run game, us building the run wall will be super important," Lea said. "This is a team that knows how to protect the football, and they play among the best last year in the FCS in the red zone. So they have the design, and they're going to have the plan, and we're going to have to show up and play Vanderbilt football. That's been our message to the team.
"Austin Peay's had the benefit of already playing a game, kind of they know the rhythm," Lea continued. "We can't wait; we can't warm up to the game. We've got to be ready, prepared to launch and be at all systems go by the time the ball's put down..."
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at FirstBank Stadium.
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