The Vanderbilt Commodores have long been a bottom-of-the-barrel program in the SEC. With the program not having a winning record since 2008 when they went 7-6, they're celebrating the 15th anniversary of their Music City Bowl win from 15 years ago in one of the saddest anniversaries in college football.
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This weekend, we’ll celebrate the 15th anniversary of our 2008 Music City Bowl Champions ⚓️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/gEh8nC7yI4
— Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) September 20, 2023
Competing against Boston College on December 31, 2008, the Commodores bested them 16-14. To be fair, Boston College was favored in the game, and each program earned a $1.7 million payout.
The Commodores roster back then had very little NFL talent but did include Green Bay Packers second-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Casey Hayward. He was a freshman in 2008.
Since the 2008 season, the Commodores are 64-110, which includes their 2-2 record this season. Over that span, they've lost double-digit games three times (2009, 2010, 2021).
When Vanderbilt, who has had one winning season since 1982—yes, 1982—wanted to celebrate even the smallest of victories, social media users laid into them in the fiercest ways.
Even the guy who runs this account had to chuckle when he sent this out https://t.co/WaeDRxJnnR
— Austin Brown (@Austin_Vols) September 21, 2023
When this is possibly the only trophy in your previously empty trophy case, it must be celebrated 🤣💀🤣 https://t.co/ndCH6eZWEO
— Vol Twiitter (@VolTwiitter) September 21, 2023
The 2008 Music City Bowl was the first bowl game victory by the program in 53 years. They last won a bowl game before that on December 31, 1955, defeating Auburn in the Gator Bowl 25-13.
In their win over Boston College in 2008, the offense mustered up 200 yards of offense and converted just one of 15 third downs. If Boston College didn't have three turnovers, one of which resulted in a touchdown by the Commodores, they would've lost the game.
To make matters even more hilarious, guess who the MVP of the game was?
Maybe the quarterback? A skill position player? One of the players that led to the three turnovers?
Nope.
Punter Brett Upson. He had nine punts in the game.
As mentioned, the Commodores are 2-2 this season with wins over Hawaii and Alabama A&M. Their two losses came against Wake Forest and UNLV.
They'll look to move one game above .500 at home this weekend when they celebrate the bowl win against the Kentucky Wildcats.
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Kentucky is a 13.5-point favorite.
