Commodores and Wolfpack to meet after late upset wins
SHREVEPORT, La. — There were times this season that Vanderbilt and North Carolina State looked like bad football teams.
But November arrived and both programs improved, leading to some upset wins and bowl eligibility. Now the Commodores and the Wolfpack meet in the Independence Bowl today, starting at 5 p.m. EST.
Vanderbilt (6-6) appeared headed for a lost season in the Southeastern Conference until back-to-back upsets over Mississippi and Tennessee clinched bowl eligibility. The Commodores are in the postseason for the first time since 2013.
“That’s part of the journey, getting young men to go from where they are to where they want to be,” Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason said. “So, for us, it was about the steady process of doing the right things. It clicked.”
The Commodores’ biggest improvement during the season’s final few weeks was on offense. They scored a combined 83 points in the victories over Mississippi and Tennessee, consistently hitting on big plays.
“We stuck to the process. We grew,” quarterback Kyle Shurmur said. “It was great to put a complete game together toward the end. Those big plays, those flashes, became more consistent. That was the biggest thing.”
North Carolina State (6-6) can relate to Vanderbilt’s story. The Wolfpack started with a 4-1 record, but close losses to Clemson, Boston College and Florida State derailed any hopes of a big season.
It looked like N.C. State might not make the postseason after a loss to Miami on Nov. 19, but the Wolfpack bounced back with a surprising 28-21 win over North Carolina. N.C. State is led by a dominant defensive line that includes junior Bradley Chubb, who leads the nation with 21 tackles for a loss this season.
“There are always highs and lows, ups and downs, but you do remember how you finish, and these guys have finished together,” N.C. State coach Dave Doeren said.