Nov. 16, 2015
Birmingham, Ala. – Vanderbilt sophomore safety Oren Burks has been named Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week on the strength of a two-interception performance in the Commodores’ 21-17 victory over Kentucky.
Burks, a product of South County High School in northern Virginia, sparked the Vanderbilt win by registering two interceptions, returning the second for a Commodore touchdown.
Burks becomes the first Commodore to receive the league’s top weekly defensive honor since linebacker Chase Garnham was recognized in November 2013 for a 10-tackle performance in Vanderbilt’s 14-10 road victory over Tennessee.
Burks also becomes the second Commodore this season singled out by the league. Following Vanderbilt’s 10-3 win over Missouri on Oct. 24, senior center Spencer Pulley earned the SEC’s Offensive Lineman of the Week recognition.
Both of Burks’ interceptions came in the first half of a tough game with the Wildcats. When the Commodores failed to score after the initial pick, Burks tallied his own touchdown midway in the second quarter, taking a Drew Barker pass attempt 30 yards untouched into the end zone.
Burks’ touchdown, the first by a Commodore defender since Darrius Sims took an interception 13 yards against Kentucky last year, gave Vanderbilt a 10-7 advantage. The Commodores never relinquished the lead.
Two other Commodores, Caleb Azubike and Kyle Shurmur, were nominated for SEC weekly honors after Vanderbilt’s second conference win.
Azubike were consideration for defensive lineman of the week recognition after posting two sacks, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble against the Wildcats. Shurmur was named for top freshman honors after directing the Commodore offense, completing 13 of 26 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns.
The Commodores, 4-6 overall and 2-4 in SEC play, will host Texas A&M (7-3 3-3 SEC West) this Saturday. Kickoff for the game, which marks Texas A&M’s first appearance on the Nashville campus, is 6:39 p.m. Tickets remain available.
Nineteen current or former Commodore seniors also will be recognized during Senior Day ceremonies prior the Texas A&M game.