One Positive In All The Negatives, Defensive Improvement Continues

This season hasn't gone well for the Vanderbilt Commodores, but there is at least one thing positive that is happening.

The record is ugly and the season a disappointment for Vanderbilt football and head coach Derek Mason. However, not all is as bad as they currently might seem.

Neither side of the football played well early in the season, but following the inexcusable loss to UNLV something changed. 

One week later the same offense and defense that wilted and was abused by Vegas stood up and took down a top 25 opponent on the very same field that one week earlier had been the scene of the Commodores worst loss under Derek Mason.

Since that time the offense has continued to struggle, though the injuries to, and revolving door at quarterback has been a big part of those struggles.     

However, on the other side of the ball the Commodores defensive improvements have continued. 

Against South Carolina, while the offense was stalled following their first possession touchdown, and in the wake of another injury and quarterback change, the defense battled and held the Commodores close enough to still have a chance to win in the fourth quarter before finally allowing the Gamecocks to slip away.

The Gamecocks offense emassed 440 yards in total offense. Wide receiver Bryan Edwards set a school record for receptions in a game and running back DeShaun Fenwick crossed the century mark on the ground. Still the Commodores defense managed to hold Carolina out of the endzone and keep them theoretically in the game until the fourth quarter. 

It's not excuse to say that the Commodores are playing with youth on defense. It's also no excuse to say that youth is growing up and playing better of late. 

There's no doubt the record is bad, the season a disappointment and uncertainty abounds around the program, but give credit where due and that credit is due to Mason, defensive coordinator Jason Tarver and the players on that side of the football who for whatever reason seem to be buying in and figuring things out. 

They deserve credit for those improvements we have witnessed the last two games.   

It remains to be seen how the final four weeks of the season will play out, but this defensive unit is showing signs of improvement that with the addition of new talent coming into the program should continue this season and into the next.

Now if someone can just do the same for the offense.