IN PHOTOS: Bowl-eligible ‘Dores looking at a season of magic ahead

Bowl-eligible ‘Dores wrap up the season, looking to the return of Memorial magic.

Vanderbilt offensive linemen exit the tunnel ahead of their game against Ball State, as photographed on Oct. 19, 2024. (Hustler Multimedia/Alondra Moya)

By Ophelia Lu, Deputy Photography Editor

Nov 7, 2024

As fall settles over campus, Vanderbilt is buzzing with excitement as the Commodores’ athletic program soars through a historical season. With football nearing its season finale, basketball kicking off and other teams flashing promising performances, there’s a palpable energy across campus as students and fans grow more enthusiastic about repping the Black and Gold.

Football

After a historic 40-35 win against the Crimson Tide, Vanderbilt Football has surged through the season with stunning performance after stunning performance, marking a genuine turning point for the program. The Commodores ended their two-year SEC road drought with a hard-fought 20-13 victory over the Kentucky Wildcats. The Commodores returned home and took down Ball State 24-14 before holding their own against powerhouse Texas in a narrow 27-24 loss. They also secured another crucial road win over Auburn with a decisive 17-7 win. Now ranked in the AP Top 25 College Football Poll and officially bowl-eligible, Vanderbilt heads into the season’s final stretch, facing South Carolina, LSU and Tennessee.

Game Against Alabama

Game Against Ball State

Game Against Texas

Soccer

Despite early losses in conference play to Georgia and Arkansas at home, the ‘Dores regained momentum after tying with Tennessee and South Carolina. Vanderbilt Soccer secured the five seed in the SEC tournament with wins against Texas A&M, Kentucky, Florida and Alabama.

Games Against South Carolina and Kentucky

Game Against Alabama

Baseball

Vanderbilt Baseball kicked off fall ball with a two-game series against Tennessee Tech, claiming victory in the opener but falling short in the second game. The team then hosted the David Williams Fall Classic, a spirited three-game series where the Commodores split into Team Black and Team Gold. With 22 new players joining the roster and strategic updates to the coaching staff, the VandyBoys are set on building momentum for a stronger season ahead.

Game Against Tennessee Tech

David Williams Fall Classic

About the Contributors

Ophelia Lu, Deputy Photography Editor

Ophelia Lu (’26) is from Los Angeles and is double majoring in biomedical and electrical engineering in the School of Engineering. She previously served as a staff photographer. When not covering events and sports games for The Hustler, you can find her listening to a lot of music, studying at Starbucks or lying on Alumni lawn. She can be reached at [email protected].

Alondra Moya, Staff Photographer

Alondra Moya (‘26) is majoring in child development in Peabody College. When not shooting for The Hustler, you can find her spending time outside, at the gym or watching stand-up comedy. You can reach her at [email protected].

Nikita Rohila, Senior Staff Photographer

Nikita Rohila ('25) is from a small town in Arkansas and is majoring in psychology and medicine, health and society in the College of Arts and Science. She previously served as Deputy Photography Editor. During her free time, she enjoys roaming around the city and getting cinematic-style shots for her photography account. You can reach her at [email protected].

Savannah Walske, Staff Photographer

Savannah Walske (‘26) is from San Francisco and is majoring in psychology in the College of Arts and Science. When not shooting for The Hustler, you can find her playing guitar, photographing pretty Californian landscapes and obsessing over her dog. You can contact her at [email protected].

Lana English, Multimedia Copy Editor

Lana English (‘27) is from St. Louis and is majoring in neuroscience and minoring in Data Science and History in the College of Arts and Science. Outside of The Hustler, you can find her drinking coffee, playing NYT word games, listening to the Binchtopia podcast or getting nostalgic looking at old pictures. You can reach her at [email protected].

Michael Tung, Staff Photographer

Michael Tung ('26) is majoring in computer science. He is currently a staff photographer and is originally from Dublin, Ohio. His interests are photography, engineering, all things aerospace and music. He can be reached at [email protected].

Jackson Blunt, Staff Photographer

Jackson Blunt ('28) is a first-year from Seattle, Washington, in the School of Engineering. He is majoring in computer engineering with a double major in economics. Outside of school and The Hustler, Jackson enjoys running, exploring new coffee spots and darkroom printmaking. He can be reached at [email protected].

Sambodh Sinha, Staffer-in-Training

Sambodh Sinha ('28) is from Pittsburgh and is planning to major in biology and computer science. When not studying in Divinity Library, you can find him lifting in the Rec, meditating outside Sutherland House or enjoying a delicious meal at EBI. Originally from South London, he is an avid fan of both types of football. You can reach him at [email protected].

Joanne Lee, Staffer-in-Training

Joanne Lee ('28) is from Los Angeles and is majoring in economics and human and organizational development and minoring in business in the College of Arts and Science. When she’s not spending time outdoors, you can usually find her cheering for the Lakers and Dodgers or starting a new embroidery project. She can be reached at [email protected].

Connor Campbell, Senior Staff Writer

Connor Campbell ('25) is a human and organizational development and cinema and media arts major from Staten Island, N.Y. Connor shares a strong love for both sports and film, leading to his interest in The Ringer and, consequently, his casual and quippy style of writing. Outside of The Hustler, Connor does freelance photography, runs the social media accounts for Vanderbilt Club Hockey and Camp Kesem's Vanderbilt Chapter and is the president of Vanderbilt Tap That. You can reach him at [email protected].

Miguel Beristain, Senior Staff Photographer

Miguel Beristain (’25) is a philosophy major in the College of Arts and Science from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. When not shooting for The Hustler, he can usually be found hammocking on Alumni Lawn, exploring new restaurants or practicing guitar. He can be reached at [email protected].

Ashley Hofflander, Staff Photographer

Ashley Hofflander (‘27) is from Las Vegas, and is planning on majoring in medicine, health and society with a business minor on the pre-dental track. When not taking photos for The Hustler, she is probably at a coffee shop doing work and listening to music. You can reach her at [email protected].

Sofia Healy, Staff Photographer

Sofia Healy ('27) is from Los Angeles and studies human and organizational development in Peabody College as well as communication studies in the College of Arts and Science. Outside of The Hustler, Sofia enjoys watching sports, going on scenic walks and driving alongside the beach with her friends. You can reach her at [email protected].

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