To the Editor:

Five years ago, I watched Vandy rush onto the field for a last-second attempt, rather than calling our remaining time-out to give the team time to set up. The result: MTSU blocked our kick and won the game. The following seasons were similarly frustrating. Even our historic season last year, when we walked away Music City Bowl champions, was not all that it seemed. After an exciting 5-0 start, we finished just 7-6 and did not score more than 16 points in seven of the final eight games.

This season, it is more of the same. Our offense is once again proving to be woefully inept. We are plagued by injuries, and penalties have picked up as second- and third-stringers fill in. But those penalties cannot be blamed for our current record. Our only two wins have come against Western Carolina and Rice, who were a combined 0-10 going into this weekend. Outside of those two games, we have averaged an embarrassing eight points per game.

The last two weeks have exemplified this offensive impotence. Our patchwork defense intercepted Ole Miss three times. Unfortunately, the offense failed to complete a single pass in the first half and scored just one touchdown in the entire game. Today, our offensive coordinator elected to limit our offense against Army by keeping Larry Smith in his weakest position — passing from the pocket. Smith is a phenomenal athlete, but Army got to him all game because he was kept inside the pocket, where he was no threat to run.

At what point does someone draw the line and make a change in the offensive staff? For years, Vandy’s defense has far outperformed the offense under Ted Cain. Going into this weekend, our defense was ranked 22nd in the nation. Our offense was 100th. It’s time to give our defense and a great punter in Brett Upson some support. But more importantly, it’s time to give our team a chance to win.

Nathaniel Buchheit
A&S, Class of 2009