Vanderbilt to debut new alternate uniforms against Kentucky
The Vanderbilt Commodores will be back in black on Nov. 13, 2020, when Clark Lea’s Commodores play host to the No. 18 Kentucky Wildcats in their final home tilt of the 2021 season.
The all-black alternate uniforms will be rolled out for the first time against Kentucky. The uniform features a glossy black helmet with Vanderbilt’s “Star V,” a logo the Commodores have not yet worn on a helmet this season. The helmet also has a black facemask, and small gold lettering on the back displays “Vanderbilt,” while a small “Vandy” emblem is printed atop the facemask. As for the jerseys, Vanderbilt will wear a simple black jersey with gold numbers and gold lettering on the nameplates, fit with black pants. The black pants have one small gold detail in the form of a Nike logo.
The plan, according to Vanderbilt’s release, is not just to wear all-black but to also have the fans join in a blackout of Vanderbilt Stadium.
Vanderbilt will head into a much-needed bye week before facing Kentucky in two weeks, as the Commodores’ poor defensive play and questionable play-calling cost them an opportunity at Lea’s first-career SEC win. Early in the first half, Vanderbilt, starting backup quarterback Mike Wright as Ken Seals continues to rehab from a hand injury, got the best of Missouri. Wright took full advantage of Missouri’s rushing defense, which ranked among the nation’s worst, by leading all Commodores with 152 rushing yards on 14 carries, including a 69-yard and 70-yard run.
Vanderbilt jumped out to a 14-10 lead in the first half and looked in position to upset Missouri. The Commodores, in position for a 52-yard field goal with 50 seconds left in the first half, decided instead to go for a fake field goal on fourth-and-7 — perhaps because placekicker Joseph Bulovas has been inconsistent, and the rain would’ve made the field goal more difficult — but did not come close to picking up the fourth down. On the ensuing possession, after Vanderbilt gifted Missouri with favorable field position, Missouri managed to score a 45-yard Hail Mary touchdown as time expired to give them a 17-14 halftime lead.
Missouri never once looked back, thanks in part to Tyler Badie’s career night on the ground. Badie ran for 254 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries, willing the Tigers to a 37-28 road win over Vanderbilt.