The 2008 Vanderbilt Commodores football team represented Vanderbilt University during the 2008–09 college football season. The team's head coach was Bobby Johnson, who served his seventh season in the position. The Commodores played their six home games at Vanderbilt Stadium at Dudley Field in Nashville, Tennessee. This was Vanderbilt's first 5-0 start since 1943. The season saw Vandy reach a bowl game for the first time since 1982, and also end a streak of 26 straight losing seasons.
Following a 4–0 start to the season, the Vanderbilt Commodores were ranked for the first time on the AP Poll since 1984.[1] Following the victory over Auburn, the Commodores were 5–0 for the first time since 1943.[2] After the good start, the Commodores would lose their next four games before a 31-24 victory over Kentucky that declared them bowl eligible for the first time since 1982. Vandy would then lose their final two games of the regular season. They ended the season by going to the Music City Bowl where they defeated Boston College by a score of 16-14, ending a 53-year bowl victory drought.
Game summaries[]
Miami (OH)[]
1
2
3
4
Total
Commodores
17
10
0
7
34
RedHawks
3
7
3
0
13
South Carolina[]
1
2
3
4
Total
Gamecocks
7
3
0
7
17
Commodores
0
3
14
7
24
Rice[]
1
2
3
4
Total
Owls
14
7
0
0
21
Commodores
7
14
10
7
38
Ole Miss[]
1
2
3
4
Total
Commodores
14
3
0
6
23
Rebels
17
0
0
0
17
Auburn[]
1
2
3
4
Total
Tigers
13
0
0
0
13
Commodores
0
7
7
0
14
This game was notably broadcast on ESPN's national television program College GameDay.
