Derek Mason offers blunt assessment of Vandy’s performance in Alabama loss

Derek Mason didn’t mince words on Tuesday as he reflected on Vanderbilt’s 59-0 loss to Alabama on Saturday.

Of course, with a result like that, there are plenty of areas of concern. But Mason seemed to center on the offensive line, which he called ‘soft.’

The offensive line was in the middle of the Crimson Tide’s 38-3 edge in first downs and Vanderbilt’s 1-for-11 conversion rate on third down. Vanderbilt gets a chance to move on from the lopsided loss with a noon Eastern game against Florida on Saturday.

As bad as the one loss is, Vanderbilt still has a shot at being a contender in the SEC East as the Commodores play Florida and Georgia in consecutive weeks, the only teams left that don’t have a conference loss.

Derek Mason:”Make sure these guys understand the difference between ideal self and real self. And real self is 59 to zip.” pic.twitter.com/tR2x0OXE73

— Dave Foster (@DaveFoster17) September 26, 2017

Derek Mason looking into the cameras, getting fired up: "My O-line, if you're watching, take the challenge. It's been soft."

— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) September 26, 2017

Vanderbilt center Bruno Reagan on how often Derek Mason is challenging the OL to pick it up: "About every second of every day."

— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) September 26, 2017

Derek Mason, asked by @AdamSparks if he wants his team confident or humbled after the Alabamassacre. "You've got to have both."

— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) September 26, 2017

Derek Mason on big loss to Bama:”There’s some humility looking at what was lost in terms of opportunity. You’ve got to get back to work.”

— Dave Foster (@DaveFoster17) September 26, 2017

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.