Vanderbilt Football head coach Clark Lea addressed the media for his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Oct. 21. After the Commodores’ impressive 31-24 victory over then-ranked No. 10 LSU, Lea’s squad now turns its attention to its next set of Tigers in a showdown with No. 15 Missouri. ESPN’s College Gameday will be returning to Nashville for the first time since 2008 this weekend, adding another level of hype and anticipation around this game. Lea is not allowing the intense spotlight to distract his team from an important contest, though. 

“We’ve created a good platform for the program as the external noise grows around us,” Lea said. “This week is about us not deviating from our process, not deviating from what’s allowed us to find success this season. Obviously, there will be a few more people paying attention to what we’re doing, but we’ve committed to not allow that to change us.”  

Missouri heads to Nashville following a tight 23-17 overtime victory at Auburn. Last year, the Tigers narrowly edged out Vanderbilt in a 30-27 overtime win. The Tigers were fueled by their dominant run game, led by former running back Nate Noel, who produced 199 rushing yards on the day. Lea highlighted the need to contain Missouri’s dynamic rushing attack this year. 

“We have a good run defense. They have a really effective [rush] attack, and this is both the people and the scheme,” Lea said. “You go back a year ago, a couple of breakout runs to me were the difference in the game, and so we need to build the run wall.” 

The Tigers’ ground attack is now powered by standout running back Ahmad Hardy, who has scored 11 touchdowns this season, good enough for second in the SEC. The 19-year-old has rushed for 840 yards in 2025 while averaging an impressive 6 yards per carry. Lea didn’t hold back his praise for Hardy. 

“[He] is a really good player, really effective in [the] scheme [and] he’s contact tough,” Lea said. “He’s got good balance. A lot of the stretch runs that split are vertical cuts where you’re running on a horizontal line defensively and in the backs on a vertical horse [and] that’s a challenge. Now, if you’re not able to get shoulder contact through the thigh on tackles there, he’s going to break tackles.” 

A key part of Missouri’s success has been their defensive line’s ability to put pressure on the opposing team’s quarterback. The program has recorded 21 sacks and 49 tackles for losses so far this season. 

“I think what stands out to you about Missouri is their edge play”, Lea said. “You can’t talk about having an offensive plan without talking about how you’re going to account for those guys.” 

Missouri’s edge play will certainly be a good test for Vanderbilt’s revamped offensive line. The Commodores’ offensive line is anchored by legendary coach Chris Klenakis, who along with Lea, prioritized improving the personnel up front this past offseason. 

“In our league, if you’re not winning up front, you’re not winning games,” Lea said. “To think about that shift, and what that means is we are moving people and allowing room for the run game to get started. [That] is indicative of the growth there, the space in the pocket, and the time Diego has [and] his ability to escape when coverage is tight.” 

Lea is determined to not let the increased attention from the national media distract Vanderbilt from reaching its goals. He takes each game one by one, focusing precisely on what is in front of him. Execution and consistency are essential to his program, ensuring the enhanced spotlight doesn’t distract them from their main objective. Lea emphasized that his concentration is purely on defeating Missouri.  

“I’m focused solely on this team and what we need from this group,” Lea said. “We were very intentional about paying that vision in January, and now we’re living the vision. So, let’s not let it be bigger than it is. This is what we expected. This is what comes with it. We can get over that and stay focused on this client, which is Missouri.”  

Lea repeatedly praised his players and fellow coaches, recognizing the effort they put in each day. The locker-room is clearly united, and the Commodores are ready to face Eli Drinkwitz’s Tigers.  

“These guys have put a lot into it,” Lea said. “They care a lot about it. It’s hard in [this] world to maintain a laser focus for 24 hours, but the work we put in on Sunday, the work we put [in] today, was very purposeful [and] very intentional.” 

No. 10 Vanderbilt Football will host No. 15 Missouri on Oct. 25 at 2:30 p.m. CDT.