Frank Mordica, one of the greatest running backs in Vanderbilt football history, died of a heart attack July 18 in his hometown of Tallahassee, Florida, at the age of 57. His 2,632 rushing yards from 1976 to 1979 stood as a Commodore record for 33 years.
To many Vanderbilt fans Mordica is best remembered for the most remarkable single-game rushing performance in team history: a 321-yard, five-touchdown effort against Air Force on Nov. 18, 1978. Coached at the time by former Vanderbilt defense coordinator Bill Parcells, he also set a new Southeastern Conference standard that has been equaled just once—by former Arkansas standout Darren McFadden in 2007. Mordica’s total, which came on just 22 carries, is 107 yards more than the No. 2 rushing total in Vanderbilt history. After that 1978 game, Vanderbilt fans ripped Mordica’s tear-away jersey off his back as he made his way to the McGugin Center locker room.
After earning SEC All-Freshman honors in 1976, Mordica topped the Commodores in rushing as a sophomore. In 1978 he became the first Vanderbilt back to surpass 1,000 rushing yards, ending the season with 1,065 yards and eight touchdowns while earning second-team All-SEC recognition from the Associated Press writers. He rushed for 830 yards as a senior in 1979, finishing his career with 2,632 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns—a career total that stood as a Vanderbilt record until 2012 when Zac Stacy pushed the mark to 3,143 yards.
Drafted in the ninth round of the 1980 NFL Draft and 233rd overall by the New Orleans Saints, Mordica was forced out of football before his rookie season because of a knee injury. He completed his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Peabody College in 1981 and entered the U.S. Navy, from which he retired after 30 years of service in 2011 with the rank of master chief petty officer. He returned to Tallahassee upon his retirement from active duty.
Mordica is survived by his son, four grandchildren, a sister and extended family.