Jordan Matthews earned first-team All-SEC honors from both the league’s coaches and the Associated Press after catching 87 passes in 2012. He wasn’t the only Commodore to get accolades in Vanderbilt’s 8-4 season.Image may be NSFW.
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Senior tailback Zac Stacy earned second-team honors from both panels. Punter Richard Kent was named to the second team by the coaches as well. Cornerback Andre Hal and kicker Carey Spear also earned second-team nods, but only from the AP. The AP also gave offensive lineman Wesley Johnson a honorable mention.
Matthews, who was also named as a third-team All-American by CBS Sports, put together a record-breaking season as a junior. His 1,262 receiver yards set Vanderbilt’s single-season mark. He’ll have the chance to improve on that when the Commodores face N.C. State in the Music City Bowl.
Stacy earned All-SEC honors for the second straight year thanks to another 1,000 yard rushing campaign. The Alabama native ran for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns in 2012.
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Kent and Spear gave Vanderbilt a formidable special teams combination. Kent’s ability to pin teams deep in their own territory played a huge role in close wins over Missouri and Auburn. Spear, who connected on 19 of 22 field goal attempts, put together a major turnaround after missing several key kicks in 2011. He also made a name for himself with big hits on kickoff coverage, lighting up T.J. Moe and Cordarelle Patterson.
Hal was the leader of a defensive secondary that came together to shut down opponents’ passing attacks as the season progressed. He had a pair of interceptions against Tennessee that set up touchdowns in the team’s 41-18 win.
Johnson’s honorable mention selection was a big honor for a member of an offensive line that was shaky – at best – to start the season. Johnson and his crew gelled as the season wore on, keeping quarterback Jordan Rodgers upright and allowing the Commodores the chance to let their explosive offense shine.
The awards reflect one of Vanderbilt’s most successful regular seasons of all time. Eight wins was the most the school has had since 1982. A win in the Music City Bowl would give the Commodores a win total that hasn’t been seen on West End since 1915.
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