The 1901 Vanderbilt Commodores football team represented Vanderbilt University during the 1901 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season. The Commodores were coached by Walter H. Watkins in his first year as head coach. Before the season Going into the season, the team was built around a veteran nucleus of John Edgerton, Walter Simmons, Hughes, Booth, and Davis. The line was light, but made up for with its aggressiveness. Starting quarterback Fred Hume weighed just 122 pounds. Schedule Season summary Week 1: Kentucky State On opening day, the Commodores defeated Kentucky State 22–0, looking much faster than the visitors. The starting lineup was Williamson (left end), Lawler (left tackle), Hughes (left guard) Perry (center), Crutchfield (right guard), Booth (right tackle), Simmons (right end), Hume (quarterback), Davis (left halfback), Kyle (right halfback), Tigert (fullback). Week 2: Centre In the second week of play, Vanderbilt beat Centre 25–0. Week 3: Georgia The Commodores defeated coach William A. Reynolds' Georgia Bulldogs 48–0, avenging the loss by the same score last year to Reynolds' Tar Heels. Week 4: Auburn Vanderbilt beat Auburn 41–0, in a game that was "extremely disappointing and slow." Week 5: Washington University in St. Louis The Washington University Bears gave the Commodores their only loss of the season, 12–11. Vanderbilt quarterback Fred Hume made a 50-yard gain, setting up John Edgerton's touchdown. Washington fought hard and responded with a touchdown drive, with Cassell making the score. Washington made the extra point, and went up 6–5. Bryan scored another touchdown for Vanderbilt to make the score 11–6 at the half. Washington's Smith scored a touchdown in the second half, and Lehman kicked goal for the win. The starting lineup was McLean (left end), Lawler (left tackle), Hughes (left guard) Perry (center), Crutchfield (right guard), Booth (right tackle), Simmons (right end), Hume (quarterback), Bryan (right halfback), Edgerton (fullback). Week 6: Tennessee Vanderbilt beat Tennessee 22–0. John Edgerton scored three touchdowns and John J. Tigert scored another. The starting lineup was McLean (left end), Lawler (left tackle), Hughes (left guard) Perry (center), Crutchfield (right guard), Bryan (right tackle), Simmons (right end), Hume (quarterback), Tigert (left halfback), Kyle (right halfback), Edgerton (fullback). Week 7: Sewanee Coach Billy Suter's Sewanee Tigers fought the Commodores to a scoreless tie despite Vanderbilt gaining 367 yards. Twice the Commodores were stopped at the 1-yard line. Week 8: University of Nashville The 1901 team was likely the best football team