In their first year under head coach Woody Widenhofer, the team compiled a 3–8 record, with a conference record of 0–8, and finished sixth in the Eastern Division.
The low point of the Commodores' season came in their fifth game vs. nationally ranked LSU, coached by Gerry DiNardo, Vanderbilt's head coach from 1991-94.
After scoring a touchdown with 12 seconds remaining to cut the Tigers' lead to 7-6, Widenhofer kept the offense on the field, intending to go for a two-point conversion and the win.
After LSU called timeout, the Commodores were called twice for delay of game, pushing the ball back to the 13-yard line and forcing Widenhofer to send in kicker John Markham to attempt an extra point which would have forced overtime.
Markham, who missed a 38-yard field goal earlier in the game, had his kick blocked, allowing the Tigers to escape despite gaining a meager 230 total yards.