| Year: | 1982 |
| Team: | Vanderbilt Commodores |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Southeastern Conference |
| Short Conf: | SEC |
| Record: | 8–4 |
| Conf Record: | 4–2 |
| Head Coach: | George MacIntyre |
| Hc Year: | 4th |
| Off Coach: | Watson Brown |
| Oc Year: | 2nd |
| Def Coach: | Bob Brush |
| Dc Year: | 1st |
| Stadium: | Vanderbilt Stadium |
| Bowl: | Hall of Fame Classic |
| Bowl Result: | L 28–36 vs. Air Force |
The 1982 Vanderbilt Commodores football team represented Vanderbilt University in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1982 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by head coach George MacIntyre, Vanderbilt made its first bowl appearance in eight years.
The Commodores were 8–3 in the regular season (4–2 in SEC, third), the program's first winning season since 1975 and their last until 2008.
Vanderbilt was coming off of a sixth consecutive losing season, compiling an overall record of with only one win against 35 losses in conference play over that period. From 1976 to 1981, Vanderbilt lost 33 consecutive SEC games before defeating Ole Miss in 1981.
In 1982, Vanderbilt was a veteran team with 19 seniors and 26 juniors, led by Whit Taylor at QB and All-American's TE Allama Matthews (1982), punter Jim Arnold (1982), Corner Back Leonard Coleman (1983), flanker/TE Chuck Scott (1983), and kicker Ricky Anderson (1984).
Vanderbilt started the game slow but scored 17 points in the second quarter and ending the game with 24 unanswered points before Memphis scored their final points. Whit Taylor key receiver was TE Allama Matthews for three touchdowns. Fullback Ernie Goolsby ran 21 times for 134 yards (This would be the only time in the 1982 season a Commodore player ran for over 100 yards.) Vandy only totaled 178 yards for the game. However, it was enough to win the game. Cornerback Leonard Coleman picked two interceptions, including a pick in the end zone in the third quarter to save a touchdown.
Tulane turned the ball over three times to Vanderbilt. Vandy scored 17 points in the first half, holding off the Green Wave late charge to win the 1982 home opener, 24-21. The Green Wave outgained the Commodores by over 100 yards. However, the Vandy defense was able to make turnovers to stall the Green Wave from scoring. The Green Wave almost pulled off the win, but Vandy stopped the last-second effort to win the game.
The game “between the hedges” would be the last game for the Commodores to lose for the regular season. Vandy had a 13–10 lead going into the fourth quarter. Terry Hoage picked off Vanderbilt QB Whit Taylor three times in the first half. The Commodores forced Georgia to turn over the ball deep in Georgia territory. Georgia held Vandy to two Ricky Anderson field goals. Georgia scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to secure a Georgia win.
The sixth game of the year Vanderbilt was sporting a .500 record at 3 and 3. Scouts from four bowls were at the game. Ricky Anderson put Vandy ahead with two field goals, one from 49 yards. With Vandy ahead by two points (12–10), Vandy senior linebacker Joe Staley picked off a pass and returned it for forty yards to the Rebel eight. Vandy went on to score from the eight to seal the victory for Vanderbilt and start a five-game regular season winning streak.
Vandy spoiled Kentucky’s homecoming game in front of 56,123 Wildcat fans. A fourth-quarter interception by Vandy free safety Manuel Young stopped a drive that would have given the Wildcats the lead. Fullback Keith Edwards then made a one-hand catch from Whit Taylor for a 31-yard touchdown pass that clinched the game for the Commodores.
Vandy and Virginia Tech both came into the game at five and three and looking to get a bowl bid. Neither team scored in the first quarter. The second quarter the Commodores woke up and scored 24 points in the second quarter and held the shutout, beating them 45–0. All-American Allama Matthews set a school record by catching four touchdown passes.
Vanderbilt was looking for a sixth win and bowl eligible for the first time since 1974 and the first winning season since 1975. Vanderbilt was expected to run away with the game. However, the Moccasins had other plans. Vanderbilt and UTC were tied at ten going into the fourth quarter. Vandy took advantage of two fumbles by UTC recovered by defensive end Glenn Watson. Vandy kicked an onside kick. Vandy scored 17 points in a 2-minute, 34-second span. UTC plan to stop Vandy’s offence was to rush only two players, and the other nine to drop back or stop the run plays. Ricky Anderson's thirteenth and fourteenth field goals broke the Commodores single-season record held by Mark Adams in 1975.
The game was billed as the “Super Bowl of Tennessee” between Vanderbilt and Tennessee. Tickets were reportedly selling for $150.00 each. The game was a sellout; 41,683 fans and 3,800 watched on closed circuit TV. Both teams swapped the lead back and forth; neither team led by more than seven points.
The whole time the game was played it rained, drenching the field. The whole season Taylor took advantage of the short pass. Vanderbilt was able to throw the bomb that won the game. Taylor passed for two 42-yard passes for a touchdown. Whit Taylor made a 65-yard pass to Phil Roach to set up the game-winning one-yard run from Whit Taylor. The run was a quarterback keeper around the right end following a fake to Keith Edwards.
in the Hall of Fame Classic in Birmingham on December 31, Vanderbilt and Air Force played a tight game for three quarters. Going into the fourth, Vandy was up 28 to 17, but Air Force pulled away with 19 unanswered points for the 36–28 win.
Vanderbilt QB Whit Taylor was named MVP of the game. Norman Jordan caught 20 passes for 173 yards and three touchdowns.
| Player | Position | Round | Pick | NFL club | |
| Allama Matthews | Tight end | 12 | 322 | Atlanta | |
| Jim Arnold | Punter | 5 | 119 | Kansas City |