Everything Clark Lea said after Vanderbilt's win over NC State
- Clark Lea said Vanderbilt used a field-goal-block call on NC State's final snap and told the edge players to take direct paths toward the pocket. He expected an intentional safety and wanted time for a play after the free kick; instead, Miles Capers forced the fumble Cayden Daniels recovered for a touchdown. That expectation was Lea's reading of the situation, not confirmation of NC State's actual call.
- Lea credited Jared Curtis' checks, hot throws and downfield connections in his first start, but cautioned against defining Vanderbilt's offensive identity from a game spent chasing a 17-point deficit. He wanted to clean up penalties, reestablish the inside run and build around Curtis' strengths, not permanently replace the running game with a pass-first offense.
- Vanderbilt finished with 13 penalties for 116 yards against NC State. On the holding problems, Lea emphasized moving feet, covering defenders and fixing technique after reviewing film; he thought Curtis generally stayed disciplined between the tackles rather than escaping into edge restrictions. Lea did not announce replacement linemen or blame all the holds on quarterback movement.
- Lea said Martell was brought inside for concussion checks, responded well and returned to finish the NC State game. His description confirmed the evaluation and return that day, not a diagnosed concussion, a recovery timetable or next-game availability. The supplied remarks do not justify expanding the injury beyond that account.
- Lea faulted Vanderbilt for allowing three explosive touchdowns but praised the defense's late inside-out run wall against NC State's shotgun quarterback push plays. Getting the runner down and preventing a conversion preserved the final opportunity; he highlighted the need to end those plays quickly because each additional second reduced Vanderbilt's chances.
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