Jan. 11, 2017
By Zac Ellis
VUCommodores.com
On campus in Nashville – Moments after Vanderbilt ended the 2016 season with a 41-17 loss to N.C. State in the Independence Bowl on Dec. 26, Commodores head coach Derek Mason said he wouldn’t allow that performance to stand as the defining moment of his third season. Instead, he would look ahead to Vanderbilt’s future.
“We planted the seed with this group,” Mason said. “We understand what the expectations are. We’ll water that seed, plow the ground and make sure we have the opportunity to grow this program the way we see fit.”
Without a doubt, Vanderbilt took major steps forward in 2016. It finished 6-7 for its most wins in a season and best SEC record (3-5) under Mason. The Commodores’ offense developed under second-year coordinator Andy Ludwig, and Mason’s defense remained one of the stingiest in the SEC. Plus, Vanderbilt reached its eighth bowl game in history and its fifth since 2008.
As we turn the page to a new year, VUCommodores.com rounds up a handful of year-ending awards and notes surrounding Mason’s third season in Nashville.
Offensive MVP: RB Ralph Webb
For the third consecutive season, Webb was the motor behind Vanderbilt’s offense. He earned Second Team All-SEC honors after rushing for 1,283 yards and 13 touchdowns on 250 carries, passing Zac Stacy to set a new program single-season rushing record. Webb now holds class records for Commodore freshmen, sophomores and juniors and opted to return to Nashville next fall as Vanderbilt’s all-time rushing leader (3,345 yards).
Defensive MVP: LB Zach Cunningham
Cunningham capped his redshirt junior campaign as perhaps the most decorated player in Vanderbilt football history. The Pinson, Ala. native led the SEC with 125 total tackles and finished third with 16.5 tackles-for-loss, earning First Team All-SEC and consensus All-American accolades at season’s end. Cunningham authored two of the biggest plays of Vanderbilt’s season, making a key fourth-and-one stop to seal an upset of Georgia and blocking a late field goal against Auburn.
Special Teams co-MVPs: KR Darrius Sims and PK Tommy Openshaw
Sims set a new Vanderbilt record for career kick return yards (2,496) and averaged 27.0 yards per kick return in 2016, second-best in the SEC. Meanwhile, Openshaw converted 15 of 19 field-goal attempts (78.9 percent) one year after hitting just 12 of 19 attempts (62.3 percent). He converted both attempts from beyond 50 yards, tying a career-best and setting an Independence Bowl record with a 52-yard boot against N.C. State.
Most Improved (Offense): QB Kyle Shurmur
In his first full season as a starter, quarterback Kyle Shurmur evolved into a difference-maker on offense. The sophomore threw for 2,409 yards (6.4 per attempt) and nine touchdowns and completed 54.4 percent of his throws. In consecutive wins over Ole Miss and Tennessee, Shurmur completed 58.5 percent of his passes (38-of-65) for 689 yards, four touchdowns and one pick. He tossed for a career-high 416 yards against the Vols, the first Vanderbilt quarterback to throw for more than 400 yards in a game since 2006.
Most Improved (Defense): S LaDarius Wiley
Wiley emerged as a key component of Vanderbilt’s secondary in 2016. The redshirt sophomore finished second on the team in total tackles (76) and chipped in 2.5 tackles-for-loss. As a redshirt freshman in 2015, Wiley notched just eight total tackles.
Impact Newcomer: WR/PR Kalija Lipscomb
A first-year player out of New Orleans, Lipscomb became an immediate contributor on offense and on special teams. He finished third on the team with 27 catches and fourth in reception yards (319), averaging 11.8 yards per catch and adding two touchdowns. Lipscomb likewise served as Vanderbilt’s primary punt returner, averaging 14.9 yards per return on 10 attempts. His 71-yard punt return against N.C. State in the Independence Bowl was the longest since Jonathan Krause’s 83-yard scamper against Wake Forest in 2012.
Best moment: Win over Tennessee
Was there any question? Vanderbilt used its best offensive performance of the season to beat rival Tennessee, 45-34, in the regular-season finale on Nov. 26. Its 45 points were the most scored against an SEC team since 1971, and its 608 total yards were the most in any game since 2009. Oh, and the upset secured a bowl trip for the Commodores for the first time since 2013. Vanderbilt has now beaten Tennessee in three of its past five meetings.
Lowest moment: Loss at Georgia Tech
A loss to N.C. State in the Independence Bowl was a disappointing finish, but Vanderbilt’s 38-7 setback at Georgia Tech on Sept. 17 was perhaps even more deflating. The Yellow Jackets completed an 81-yard pass on the first play of the game and ended the day with 511 yards of offense, or 8.1 yards per play. The loss dropped the Commodores to 1-2 on the season.
Looking up:
– Vanderbilt’s offense, under coordinator Andy Ludwig, took big strides from a year ago. It finished the year averaging 23.0 points per game (15.2 in 2015) and 355.5 yards per game (326.5 in ’15). In consecutive wins over Ole Miss and Tennessee, the ‘Dores tallied 83 total points, 1,089 total yards and averaged 7.3 yards per play.
– Vanderbilt ended the season sixth in FBS in red-zone offense (93.5 percent), a remarkable improvement from its 45.5-percent clip in 2015. The ‘Dores also finished first in FBS in red-zone defense (65.3 percent).
– The Commodores went 3-5 in SEC play in 2016, the most conference wins in a season under Mason. Their 17-16 win at Georgia on Oct. 15 was Mason’s first road win over a league opponent.
– Vanderbilt ended the season +4 in turnover margin. In 2015, the ‘Dores finished last in the SEC with a -8 turnover margin.
Must improve:
– The Commodores allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 61 percent of their passes and average 7.2 yards per attempt. Last season, Vanderbilt’s pass defense held signal-callers to 55 percent and 6.4 yards per attempt.
– Vanderbilt’s offense notched just 50 plays of 20 or more yards in 2016, second-fewest among SEC teams.
– Tommy Openshaw averaged a touchback on just 27.5 percent of his kickoffs, 11th-best among SEC kickers. He also led the league with eight kickoffs out of bounds.
