Oct. 16, 2016
Vanderbilt linebacker Zach Cunningham swept National Defensive Player of the Week honors after his remarkable performance in the Commodores’ 17-16 road victory over Georgia Saturday afternoon in Athens.
Cunningham, a redshirt junior inside linebacker from Pinson, Ala., amassed 19 total tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss, against the Bulldogs. It marked a career high for the 2015 consensus first team All-Southeastern Conference selection and was the highest tackle total by a Commodore defender in 17 years.
In the days following the performance, five prestigious outlets – the Maxwell Football Club/Bednarik Award, the Walter Camp Foundation, Football Writers of America/Bronko Nagurski Trophy, CBSSports.com and Athlons – recognized Cunningham as their National Defensive Player of the Week.
Cunningham also was named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, joining teammate Darrius Sims, who claimed SEC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Cunningham capped the superb game with one of the most impressive defensive stops in recent Commodore history. In the closing minute on a 4th-and-1 play from the Vanderbilt 41, Cunningham sprinted toward the sideline to tackle Georgia’s speedy Isaiah McKenzie for no gain. The stellar individual play sealed Vanderbilt’s first victory at Georgia in a decade and the initial Southeastern Conference road win for Commodore coach Derek Mason.
Cunningham becomes the third Commodore player to receive Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors since the organization began naming weekly standouts in 2003. Previous Vanderbilt recipients were cornerback D.J. Moore following a two-interception performance in a win over No. 6 South Carolina on Oct. 20, 2007, and safety Ryan Hamilton after a three-interception performance at Ole Miss on Sept. 20, 2008.
Cunningham’s 19 tackles were the most by a Commodore since linebacker Jamie Winborn registered 20 tackles in a Vanderbilt win against South Carolina on Oct. 23, 1999. Winborn finished the 1999 season earning All-America recognition after topping the SEC with 141 tackles.
Through seven games, Cunningham is the SEC leader in multiple defensive categories. He ranks first in the league — and fourth in the nation — with 81 total tackles, averaging 11.6 stops per game. He also tops the conference — and is third nationally — with 13 tackles for loss.
Cunningham has been even more impressive in SEC competition. He is averaging 13.8 tackles and 2.3 tackles for loss — both league-leading totals — in four conference games.
Cunningham and the Vanderbilt defense combined to hold Georgia’s rushing attack to 62 yards on 32 yards. UGA’s talented running back Nick Chubb was held to just 40 yards on 16 carries.
Cunningham and the Commodores return to action this Saturday, hosting nearby Tennessee State in Vanderbilt Stadium. Kickoff for the homecoming game is 6:30 p.m. CT.