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Clark Lea speaks to OL, secondary struggles in season opener
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
Clark Lea addressed the media on Sunday after Vanderbilt’s narrow victory vs. Hawaii in Week 0.
The Commodores coach discussed the struggles from the offensive line and secondary during the 35-28 victory.
Hawaii out-gained Vanderbilt in yards by 89. The Commodores rushed for just 44 yards on 1.9 yards per carry. Vanderbilt quarterback AJ Swann passed for 258 yards and was sacked 3 times.
“It was not pretty. The sacks hurt,” Lea said. “I felt like offensively when we were on schedule, we were driving and scoring. But when we got behind the chains, we had trouble digging ourselves out of the hole.”
Lea takes some responsibility as the offensive approach has shifted and he’s confident improvement is certainly attainable.
“Obviously, our protection issues. Some of those are 4-man rush. It wasn’t complicated. We’ve got to look at the film and see where we need to enhance but I believe in that group of guys. We’ll be better,” Lea said. “…This is a line that’s had success in the run game and I think we’ve changed our identity a little bit to get the ball on the perimeter some.”
Meanwhile, Hawaii quarterback Brayden Schager passed for 351 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.
Lea referenced some plays in the secondary that will be addressed in film study.
“The last one there that kind of set up the score. Savion Riley on a vertical route where he’s got to be on top of it,” Lea said. “That’s that simple. The ball got behind BJ [Anderson] once for a touchdown and we’ll look at that. I’m sure there’s a win for him early there.”
Of the touchdown Anderson allowed, Lea explained the issue with the coverage.
“It’s also a pressure situation on 4th-and-4. He’s taught to protect the sticks there thinking that it’s going to be a short route. They converted and went vertical and our blitzer ran into the D-lineman, so we weren’t able to get the pressure,” Lea said. “That’s sloppy play. That’s not executing the call.”
Overall though, Lea believes the best is still ahead for Vanderbilt.
“There’s going to be plenty to scrutinize both in the coverage and in the rush but we’ll better and that’ll be the worst we play as a team in our first game,” Lea said.
Vanderbilt will aim to improve to 2-0 in Week 1 when they host Alabama A&M on Sept. 2 (7 p.m. EST/ESPN+).
