Believe it! Vandy soars into national rankings

Safety Ryan Hamilton had three interceptions against Ole Miss. Stan Jones for The City Paper

Six Southeastern Conference teams appear in the latest Associated Press national Top 25 rankings.

Vanderbilt is one of those six.

No, the world is not coming to an end. Remain calm.

The upstart Commodores, 4-0 after Saturday’s 23-17 victory at Mississippi, are rated No. 21 this week, their first appearance in the national polls since 1984.

For a program trying to bring a merciful end to a 25-year losing streak, Sunday’s new ranking caused a stir on campus.

“It feels amazing,” tailback Jared Hawkins said. “It’s great for our team and our program. I’m really excited about it and the rest of the guys are, too.”

Even usually reserved VU coach Bobby Johnson admitted to being aware of the buzz among his team.

“We’re not trying to tone it down,” he said. “They know it. They were talking about it right after the game.”

The Commodores haven’t been ranked since being No. 19 after a 4-0 start in 1984. This season’s 4-0 start is the first since 2005 and only the third since 1984.

The hot starts of 1984 and 2005 quickly fizzled with neither season resulting in a bowl-game appearance. VU hasn’t been bowling since 1982.

Breaks and good fortune seem to be on Vanderbilt’s side in 2008.

The Commodores have trailed in each game before rallying. They have surrendered only 10 points in the second half of games this season and have shut out two consecutive opponents after halftime.

Against Ole Miss, the Commodores produced more clutch plays, including a 79-yard interception return for a touchdown by safety Ryan Hamilton and a forced fumble by linebacker Chris Marve late in the game.

“We’re playing well, playing hard and determined to win every game,” Hamilton said. “A couple years ago, maybe we don’t tough it out like that, but we’re a different team now.”

Added Johnson: “Our guys really gutted it out and made plays when we had to. You like to see games like that.”

VU’s dramatic win Saturday was its eighth in its past 17 road games. In addition, the Commodores are 13-12 in their past 25 games dating back to 2006.

For now, national poll voters seem to be noticing.

“The Vanderbilt name gets out there,” Johnson said. “Hopefully that will help recruiting, ticket sales, everything. We’re not against it, believe me, but it won’t help us win the next game.”

On Sunday, with the team given the day off as it begins a bye week, players only wanted to relish the moment.

“It feels good,” Hamilton said. “I feel like we’re getting some recognition across the country, but that’s not the main thing for us right now. We want to go to this bowl game that we’ve all been talking about for so long. We talk about it all the time.”

NO UPDATE ON NICKSON: Vanderbilt senior quarterback Chris Nickson suffered a sprained right shoulder Saturday against Ole Miss, but his status remained uncertain Sunday.

“Couldn’t tell you,” VU coach Bobby Johnson said. “He’s seeing the doctors right now. We don’t know the extent right now.”

Nickson departed Saturday’s game early in the third quarter and was replaced by reserve Mackenzi Adams, who helped lead the Commodores to a 23-17 victory.

Nickson’s injury is not believed to be serious. He threw passes on the sideline Saturday after leaving the game.