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So, here’s the postgame press conference after Saturday’s 54-21 loss to Ole Miss, and the question was asked about that penalty... you know the one:
Why were two No. 88s on kick return team?
— Adam Sparks (@AdamSparks) October 31, 2020
Derek Mason said "it should've been caught" by coaches, but "they don't wear those numbers in practice."
And, see, that’s a bad answer, but I don’t think there was ever a good answer to that question. It’s “why was the murder weapon found in the drawer of your bedside table?” or “why have our hets sunk to the bottom of the Mariana Trench?” There’s no way that you send two players who wear the same number onto the field at the same time and come out of it looking good. But this specific answer is actually even worse. Because this answer implies that your plan all along was to have Jayden Harrison and Michael Owusu both playing on the kickoff team. You practiced all week, and at no point did anyone say “hey, you know those guys wear the same number, right?” I mean, the players don’t wear those numbers in practice, but I, a Vanderbilt sports blogger, could have told you without looking that Michael Owusu and Jayden Harrison wear the same number.
That actually might make me look as bad as the coaching staff, I don’t know. Oh, yeah, and there was also this:
Derek Mason said QB Danny Clark has opted out of the season after three games and QB Mike Wright will be available to play next week.
— Adam Sparks (@AdamSparks) October 31, 2020
I don’t believe Danny Clark had played in any of the first three games, so this probably won’t make a difference, although it’s a little bit less depth at the most important position on the field. Anyway, if you’re looking for positives:
Notable from postgame presser. Ken Seals' appearance was over, but I typed "I got one more" in the chat section.
— Adam Sparks (@AdamSparks) November 1, 2020
Ken was dismissed, but then said, "Adam has one more."
Typical QB. Scanning the field, seeing the open man, directing the offense (presser).