Defensive Player of the Week: Vanderbilt Commodores LB Zach Cunningham
For the Vanderbilt Commodores to upset their SEC East rival Georgia Bulldogs in Athens, Vanderbilt was going to need an outstanding day from one player on the defensive side of the ball. That player was junior linebacker Zach Cunningham.
It shouldn’t be a secret that Vanderbilt plays real defense for head coach Derek Mason. The problem that has plagued Vanderbilt is terrible play at the quarterback position. If the Commodores can keep it low-scoring in a knock-down, drag-out fight, they are a dangerous team capable of an upset.
Cunningham played out of his mind on Saturday afternoon against Georgia. He had 19 tackles (13 assist, six solo), 2.5 tackles for a loss of yardage, and a pass deflection. Cunningham was responsible for the game-winning stop on a fourth and one versus Georgia.
Georgia managed only 75 yards on the ground as a team on 35 carries. The Bulldogs yards per rush of 2.1 was dreadful. Stellar play by Cunningham and the Vanderbilt defense made it possible for Mason to get his first SEC road victory of his coaching career.