Press Conference Notes: Clark Lea addresses Auburn loss and this Saturday’s Georgia game – The Vanderbilt Hustler

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After a 6-point defeat to Auburn on Sept. 26, Vanderbilt suffered its first loss of the season. The offense put up a measly 15 points, and special teams play was rough — with a blocked punt touchdown against the Commodores occurring for the second time in three games. 
Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea began his Tuesday media presser by addressing his team’s Saturday performance, specifically emphasizing the importance of paying attention to details. 
“First of all, coming out of the game Saturday, just this feeling of the need for detail engagement,” Lea said. “You get tired as a coach of saying the same things over and over again, but we lose a game where we give up a punt block for a touchdown and have a field goal tipped, and there’s 10 points.” 
Lea specifically mentioned the shortcomings of the special teams unit and underscored that Vanderbilt’s special teams coordinator, Jeff LePak, has made changes after his unit’s errors. 
“We’ve addressed the personnel specifically on the punt unit, and Jeff LePak’s doing a nice job of trying to tighten down,” Lea said. 
Lea also stressed how having a strong special teams unit can be advantageous in close games. 
“We need to win the margins, we need to win three phases, and special teams becomes an important part of that,” said Lea. “So, I think there’s some important learning from the Auburn game, and we’ve spent the last couple days talking about that.” 
One bright spot throughout the season, and even during the loss, has been true freshman quarterback Jared Curtis; in his first SEC game, he put up almost 200 yards passing on 22 completions. He also invigorated the ‘Dores rush attack, adding 46 yards on the ground himself.  
“He’s developing as a player,” Lea said. “Obviously, I think there’s a part of this too where you’re developing as a person when you enter this gauntlet as a starting quarterback in the SEC.” 
Furthermore, Lea spotlighted Curtis’s physical and mental grit, as well as praising the freshman’s continued growth on and off the field. He also emphasized that the receiver unit as a whole has been working better together, which has contributed to the signal caller’s success. 
“This kid is mentally tough,” Lea said. “He’s physically tough. Just like we’re building chemistry around Jared right now, I think that [the wide receivers unit is] also building chemistry.” 
Going into the Georgia game, Curtis will have more attention on his play than ever, as the five-star quarterback was originally committed to the Bulldogs before flipping to Vanderbilt. Lea acknowledged that there would be extra focus from the media, but he extolled Curtis’s values as a player and person, stating that the 19-year-old would continue to focus on his own development. 
“This guy’s got a great heart,” Lea said. “He’s a passionate competitor, and so anyone with those kinds of descriptors opting into Vanderbilt makes me excited because it shows that the signals we’re sending out in the world are attracting those kinds of people and those kinds of players.” 
Georgia is ranked No. 2 and will likely be sporting a sold-out stadium with 93,033 Bulldog fans anticipating a win on their Homecoming Weekend. Lea made it clear that this competition will be difficult, but he stayed adamant about the importance of playing to his team’s identity. 
“I respect the way they play the game in all three phases,” Lea said. “They’re physical, they’re fast, they’re sound in their systems and yet, this week’s going to be about playing the best version of Vanderbilt football.” 
On defense, Lea highlighted the significance of stopping Georgia’s rushing attack early on. The Bulldogs have rushed for 889 yards in four games so far, but the team’s leading rusher, Nate Frazier, is sidelined for this Saturday’s matchup. Similarly, Lea focused on limiting big rush or pass plays where sloppy coverage or a play on the line of scrimmage could lead to 6 points for the Bulldogs. 
“What cannot happen is when one of those runs break the line of scrimmage and get to the end zone, or it’s a play action shot that gets behind us because we have bad eyes and we’re not contesting the ball down the field,” Lea said. 
Offensively, Lea emphasized diversifying Curtis’ options downfield — hoping another vertical threat emerges opposite of Junior Sherill. He mentioned Ja’Cory Thomas and Brycen Coleman as potential deep ball targets, with Cole Adams and Tristen Brown providing support in the slot. However, Lea also believes that Curtis’s connection with Sherrill and tight end Cole Spence has been improving, making them still very crucial assets in the pass game. In the trenches, the offensive line will also need to be at its best against a ferocious Bulldog defensive line that recorded three sacks against Oklahoma last week. 
“Georgia poses a challenge in terms of the way they collapse the pocket and the way they get up to the quarterback and the way they pressure,” Lea said. “My hope is that we take the experience and the growth that we had during the Auburn game and can apply it to Athens.” 
The Commodores are set to face off at Sanford Stadium in Athens Saturday, Oct. 3, at 11:45 CDT.
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