Vandy turns to ‘06 star as QB heading into Thursday’s opener vs. Miami (Ohio)
Vanderbilt’s quarterback competition came down to the last minute, as Chris Nickson was named the starting quarterback for the Commodores’ season opener Thursday night at Miami (Ohio).
Nickson and Mackenzi Adams competed throughout preseason practice. Both players started during the previous two seasons - Nickson 18 straight games from the beginning of 2006 to midway through last fall, Adams the final six games of the ‘07 campaign (going 2-4).
Nickson started the 2006 opener at Michigan and last season’s opener against Richmond. Injuries limited his effectiveness, leading to Adams making his first career start, at South Carolina. Vanderbilt won, and Adams started the rest of the season.
Coach Bobby Johnson said there was no “magic moment” during the preseason that prompted him to go with Nickson and added that he was equally confident in Adams.
“Chris is healthy and ready to go, confident,” Johnson said. “We expect him to play really well. If Mackenzi’s in the game, we expect him to play really well.”
With Vanderbilt replacing its entire offensive line, Nickson’s ability to escape and make plays when everything else breaks down is one of the big reasons he got the nod.
Nickson piled up 2,779 yards of total offense as the full-time starter in 2006, helping him earned third-team preseason all-Southeastern Conference honors by league coaches before the 2007 season began. Partly due to dealing with a separated shoulder, Nickson never regained his 2006 form in 2007.
Vandy’s last win of 2007 came against Miami of Ohio in Nashville. That 24-13 victory made the Commodores 5-3, and they needed just one win to become bowl eligible but lost their last four games.
The RedHawks finished last year 6-7, their second consecutive losing season. Their strength this year should be defense, which will be returning nine starters, highlighted by the linebacking corps, which returns in full.
That Miami defense, led by 2007 MAC Defensive Player of the Year Clayton Mullins should prove troublesome for a Vandy offensive line that returns no starters.
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