NASHVILLE — If there was a sense of resignation after Vanderbilt fell short of upsetting No. 10 Arkansas, Commodores Coach James Franklin was in no mood to hear about it.
The Commodores took Arkansas to the limit Saturday, but a costly fumble and a missed 27-yard field goal with eight seconds left in the game allowed the Razorbacks to escape with a 31-28 victory at Vanderbilt Stadium.
Vanderbilt, which has had one winning record since 1983, is fighting the same old, mentality, and no one is putting up a fight quite like Franklin, who is in his first year with the Commodores.
“You guys are going to write the story however you want to write it, but the story is we’re making progress and we’re getting better,” said Franklin, his voice rising in a post game news conference. “That’s the story, and this is not the same old Vanderbilt. I’m not going to allow anybody to write anything or report anything different.
“We are going to find ways real soon how to finish those games. We’re not going to make these mistakes much longer, I guarantee you that.”
Vanderbilt had its way with Arkansas for much of the first half, leading 21-7 and was about to build on a 28-20 lead when running Zac Stacy took a hand off from Jordan Rodgers on second-and-goal from the Arkansas 3. Stacy lost control of the ball and fumbled at the 5. Razorbacks linebacker Jerry Franklin scooped up the ball and ran 94 yards for a touchdown.
Arkansas took a 31-28 lead, but the Commodores took over at their 10 with 3:03 left and drove to the Razorbacks’ 14 in the last minute. After a short run and two incompletions, Carey Spear pushed a potential game-tying field goal attempt wide right.
Vanderbilt outgained Arkansas 462-388 and held the Razorbacks to 72 yards rushing.
“It’s a very, very tough loss, obviously,” Franklin said. “There are no moral victories, but we’re getting better every single week. Statistics don’t matter a whole lot. The only statistic that matters is the wins and losses, and we didn’t come off on the right end of it.”
Rodgers threw for 240 yards and 1 touchdown and rushed for 2 more and led the Commodores on the nearly successful late drive. His fourth quarter tackle also forced a fumble by Jerico Nelson, who was about to score a go-ahead touchdown for Arkansas..
“We showed that we can play with anybody on any Saturday,” Rodgers said. “That’s the [Associated Press] No. 8 team in the country, and we had them up against the wall.
“We’re not the same old Vanderbilt. The evidence is on the field. We made some mistakes, and we’re still right there with the No. 8 team in the country.”
None of the Commodores made available after the game seemed too eager to take solace from coming close. Mostly they echoed their coach in talking about getting back to work, fixing the mistakes and rebranding Vanderbilt.
“We didn’t win the game, so we don’t take small victories in that regard,” linebacker Chris Marve said. “The goal in this game of football is to end the game when the last horn rings with the highest score.”
Sports, Pages 36 on 10/30/2011