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Good morning.
We are now 11 days away from Vanderbilt football’s season opener against Georgia. Two players wear #11 for the Commodores. Harvard graduate transfer Justice Shelton-Mosley is in his first season for Vanderbilt after being an All-Ivy selection as a return specialist, and will probably fill the same role for Vanderbilt this year. Freshman DB Justin Harris had 11 interceptions in his high school career.
Riley Neal was named to the watch list for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which is odd considering he has yet to be named Vanderbilt’s starting quarterback.
Technically not related to athletics, but I had almost forgotten we have a search going on for a new Chancellor. Anyway, here’s Board of Trust Chairman Bruce Evans on the search:
“I want someone to continue [Vanderbilt’s] momentum. That person needs to be aspirational in his or her thinking and ambitious for the institution. I think the other key thing is Vanderbilt is a big business, and we need somebody that is financially astute and operationally astute and has the emotional range to lead a large organization.”
Nothing about athletics in there, which... okay. Honestly I’m fine if the new Chancellor just lets Malcolm Turner do what he wants.
Off the West End
This is sad: Arkansas State’s head coach is taking a leave of absence as his wife battles cancer.
From SI: Harbaugh-Fickell spat shows true problem with transfer waivers.
The preseason AP Top 25 is out, and of course Vanderbilt isn’t ranked.
Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander asked college basketball coaches if they’d take their team to visit the Trump White House after a national championship. (WARNING: POLITICS, duh.)
From The Athletic ($): The Preseason Athletic 130; The Playoff era proves college football will always be about the argument; How the AP Poll will change from preseason to postseason; State of the Hoops Program: Kansas State.
Scoreboard
MLB: Royals 5, Orioles 4 ... Nationals 13, Pirates 0 ... Mariners 9, Rays 3 ... Padres 3, Reds 2 ... Cardinals 3, Brewers 0 ... Rangers 8, Angels 7 ... Astros 5, Tigers 4 ... White Sox 6, Twins 4 ... Diamondbacks 5, Rockies 3.