In 1921, the Commodores hired Wallace Wade as an assistant and posted an undefeated, 7–0–1 record. "
The Texas game, sparked by McGugin's unforgettable oratory, was the big one." "
Instead of hammering detailed strategy into them," coach Dan McGugin had taken his team to the nearby grave of former Vanderbilt quarterback Curry in Marlin, Texas.
In a noted speech just before the teams took to the field, referring to this grave, McGugin tapped his fingers on the floor and began:
You are about to be put to an ordeal which will show the stuff that's in you!
What a glorious chance you have!
 Every one of you is going to fix his status for all time in the minds and hearts of his teammates today.
How you fight is what you will be remembered by.
If any shirk, the Lord pity him.
He will be degraded in the hearts of the rest as long as they live...
Vanderbilt went on to upset the Longhorns 20–0.
Later the same season, Vanderbilt faced Georgia in a contest for the Southern crown, tying the game late on an onside-kick-from-scrimmage 7–7.

Vanderbilt athletics historian Bill Traughber describes McGugin's speech before the 1922 game against the Michigan Wolverines at the dedication of Dudley Field:
In the locker room prior to the kickoff, McGugin gave his hopeful pregame inspirational talk.
Referring to the Michigan players, McGugin said, "You are going against Yankees, some of whose grandfathers killed your grandfathers in the Civil War."
Unknown to the Commodore players was the fact that McGugin's father had been an officer in the Union army.

The quote is also reported, probably more accurately, as "Out there lie the bones of your grandfathers;" referring to the nearby military cemetery, "And down on that field are the grandsons of the Yankee soldiers who put them there."

Next season Wade left to coach Alabama and was replaced by former tackle Josh Cody.
The 1923 Commodores won  Vanderbilt's last conference title in football to-date.
Lynn Bomar was consensus All-American.
In 1921, the Commodores hired Wallace Wade as an assistant and posted an undefeated, 7–0–1 record. "The Texas game, sparked by McGugin's unforgettable oratory, was the big one." "Instead of hammering detailed strategy into them," coach Dan McGugin had taken his team to the nearby grave of former Vanderbilt quarterback Curry in Marlin, Texas. In a noted speech just before the teams took to the field, referring to this grave, McGugin tapped his fingers on the floor and began:
You are about to be put to an ordeal which will show the stuff that's in you! What a glorious chance you have!  Every one of you is going to fix his status for all time in the minds and hearts of his teammates today. How you fight is what you will be remembered by. If any shirk, the Lord pity him. He will be degraded in the hearts of the rest as long as they live...
Vanderbilt went on to upset the Longhorns 20–0. Later the same season, Vanderbilt faced Georgia in a contest for the Southern crown, tying the game late on an onside-kick-from-scrimmage 7–7.
Vanderbilt athletics historian Bill Traughber describes McGugin's speech before the 1922 game against the Michigan Wolverines at the dedication of Dudley Field:
In the locker room prior to the kickoff, McGugin gave his hopeful pregame inspirational talk. Referring to the Michigan players, McGugin said, "You are going against Yankees, some of whose grandfathers killed your grandfathers in the Civil War." Unknown to the Commodore players was the fact that McGugin's father had been an officer in the Union army.
The quote is also reported, probably more accurately, as "Out there lie the bones of your grandfathers;" referring to the nearby military cemetery, "And down on that field are the grandsons of the Yankee soldiers who put them there."
Next season Wade left to coach Alabama and was replaced by former tackle Josh Cody. The 1923 Commodores won  Vanderbilt's last conference title in football to-date. Lynn Bomar was consensus All-American.
Dan McGugin