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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Opening the season on Thursday night has become quite the tradition for Vanderbilt, taking advantage of the chance to lure a few more eyes.Now the Commodores want to tweak that trend.By winning.The Commodores open Thursday night hosting South Carolina -- the fifth straight year theyve helped open the college football season. Theyve come so very close to wins over the past four seasons but have not won an opener at home since beating Elon in 2011.Coach Derek Mason isnt sure if theres any benefit to being among the first to play each season.I like getting the season started early, Mason said Tuesday. Its nice to have a kickoff game that people talk about and everybody knows and understands when college football starts. So to hit it on a Thursday night, weve done it for the last couple of years, so for me its become old hat. I like where its at, and thats good.Being on national TV never hurts, even a team in a Power Five conference with its own network. The competition on Thursday night will be stiffer with 29 other games being played, though adding the Southeastern Conference opener certainly helps.The Commodores havent beaten South Carolina since 2008, and this gives them a big chance to kick off the season in style. But the Commodores have lost three of their past four season openers by a combined 10 points. Last years loss may have been the most painful, losing 14-12 to Western Kentucky when Vandys 2-point conversion failed at the end to force overtime.The only game that wasnt close came in 2014 in a 37-7 rout at the hands of Temple in Masons coaching debut, a game that didnt finish until the wee hours of the next day because of a lightning delay.Vanderbilt is coming off a 4-8 season, and Mason has written an open letter to fans asking for their support Thursday night to fill up the stadium. Hes also asked students to turn out as well. The coach said the Commodores need momentum along with the opportunity to do something they havent done his first two seasons.This team knows how important it is just based on our recent history, Mason said. Theres an opportunity to win the first home opener in I dont know six years or whatever it is, to beat south Carolina for the first time in a long time. So theres some important factors for us that really dont ride necessarily on just it being the first game.Linebacker Oren Burks said the Commodores see opening on Thursday night as an opportunity to showcase themselves on a national stage.Its Thursday night, all eyes are on you, Burks said. Theres not a lot of games ... Im excited for this season.Vanderbilt has 15 starters back, including seven from a defense that ranked 28th nationally in total defense last season and 22nd allowing 21 points per game. Kyle Shurmur started five games last season at quarterback, a job he has a firm hold on this season.Weve all been chomping at the bit to get ready for this game, Shurmur said. Were all ready to go and were real excited. Anytime you can get it two days earlier a game, its great.--Online:AP College Football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org---Follow Teresa M. Walker at www.twitter.com/teresamwalker NFL Jerseys Cheap . The 20-year-old Pelicans big man glanced up and smiled widely at the well-wishers -- a fitting end to a day he wont soon forget. Davis responded to his selection earlier in the day as a Western Conference All-Star with 26 points and 10 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 98-91 on Friday night. NFL Jerseys China . Ryan Garbutt had a goal and two assists as Dallas snapped a six-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. http://www.nfljerseyschina.net/ . Sulaiman, 44, was chosen unanimously Tuesday in a vote by the leadership, the World Boxing Council said. Sulaiman becomes the sixth president of the organization. Cheap Jerseys . -- Eastern Kentucky thrives off creating havoc for others. Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping . The Montreal Canadiens announced on Friday that the veteran forward will return to the teams line-up on Saturday night when the Habs visit the Nashville Predators.Rafa Benitez praised Newcastles fighting spirit after they came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Liverpool on Saturday. The Magpies looked to be heading for defeat at Anfield as they conceded after 68 seconds and then again on the half-hour mark.However, Papiss Cisse cut the deficit before Jack Colback equalised to earn the visitors a point that could prove significant in their fight against Premier League relegation. They are now level on points with Sunderland and one point behind 17th-placed Norwich, although they have played more games than both their relegation rivals.Its a big step because we can keep believing and fighting, Benitez told Sky Sports. After the first minute we were a little bit worried. We conceded twice in the first half and we had to react. Jack Colback celebrates his equaliser Im really pleased because the fight and passion the players showed on the pitch made the difference. When you are at the bottom and you see this fight you have to be pleased. The fans were pushing and helping the team as well.The point is Newcastles first away from St James Park in 2016 and they now finish the campaign with two home games against Crystal Palace and Tottenham, either side of a trip to relegated Aston Villa. Matt Le Tissier gives his thoughts on Newcastles comeback to earn a point against Liverpool Every game is massive, said Benitez, who was given a warm reception on his return to the club he managed between 2004-2010.dddddddddddd We know we have to perform well and the fans are crucial for us.In the end its a pity because we had one or two chances on the counter. But I think Liverpool are a great team and they were playing well so a draw is fine for us at the moment. Also See: Liverpool 2-2 Newcastle As it happened Newcastle fixtures Get a ￡10 free bet! ' ' '