Clark Lea on Vanderbilt's first quarter against Tennessee: 'I think we're close'

The Vanderbilt Commodores are taking on the Tennessee Volunteers in their final game of the 2023 regular season. While Vanderbilt has been knocked out of bowl-season contention, a win in Neyland Stadium would force their in-state rivals to finish the season on a sour note.

Just before the start of the second quarter, the ESPN SEC Network team covering the game caught up with Commodores head coach Clark Lea to assess his team’s play in the first quarter and share his thoughts on his offense’s ability to put points on the board against the Volunteers.

“The last [drive] one had some opportunities there,” said Lea. “It’s gonna be about one in the margins, and I think we’re close. I think the calls have been creative. A.J.’s [Swann] been doing a nice job; we just gotta stay with it. Right now, it’s about getting a stop and getting the ball back to those guys.”

Lea’s Vanderbilt defense almost did just that on the first play of the quarter with a strip tackle and fumble recovery. Unfortunately, after the review, it was confirmed that Tennessee wide receiver Squirrel White was down after completing the catch with his knee down prior to getting up and running.

Tennessee and Vanderbilt brawl

Complete chaos broke out near the end of the first half in Saturday’s contest pitting Tennessee against Vanderbilt. A brawl broke out between the Vols and Commodores players, with several members from both sides having to be broke up by referees and coaches.

The brawl occurred with three minutes remaining in the first half, as Tennessee held a 24-10 lead. Surprisingly, no ejection result from the scrum. Vols edge rusher Tyron Baron and defensive lineman Dominic Bailey received unsportsmanlike conduct penalties as a result of the play.

You can view the brawl between Tennessee and Vanderbilt below.