Stars of the Game: Auburn

Vanderbilt picked up a huge win over Auburn on Saturday. VandyMania recognizes two key contributors to the Commodores win that vaulted them into the top 15.

Vanderbilt 14

Auburn 13

STAR OF THE GAME

P #39 Brett Upson

Well, this is a first for me. I have put players on this list that have made an impact on special teams but I have never awarded the “Star of the Game” to a punter…..until now. Saturday night before a packed house and a national television audience Brett Upson delivered the biggest punt I have ever seen to the Auburn Tigers. Upson came on to punt the ball and try to pin Auburn inside the ten yard line. Usually a punter will try to hit and get a roll out of bounds or “corner kick” to achieve this goal. Upson apparently has a lot of confidence in his leg. Not only was Upson able to set the Tigers up with horrible field position but he did it by drilling a 55 yard bomb which was downed at the three yard line. Auburn took control from there and was unable to move the football on what I think is the best defense in the SEC. Many people are calling Upson’s kick the game clinching moment so I proudly call #39 Brett Upson this week’s star of the game for his performance against Auburn. What a weapon Mr Upson is for this coaching staff! Maybe Corso should have met him before he named the Auburn punter his game changer before the

OFFENSIVE STAR OF THE GAME

QB #9 Mackenzie Adams

We have seen it before. A team that has been hot is riding a huge wave of publicity and achieves lofty media status, big time rankings and then snap….it’s all over. Some of you might remember what happened to Oregon and Dennis Dixon last year. Unfortunately for Oregon the backup to Dixon wasn’t Mackenzie Adams. After quarterback Chris Nickson realized that his throwing shoulder wasn’t feeling right he pulled himself out of the game and the coaching staff promptly and confidently sent Mackenzie into the game. Mac went on to play another great game against a ranked opponent and managed to pull out a gutsy well managed win for the Commodores. Mac finished the game with 157 yards passing and had two touchdown strikes. Mac completed a pretty pass to Justin Wheeler (apparently Mac’s favorite target for those of you who remember the South Carolina game last year) and a scary, yet perfect, jump ball to one Brandon “TD machine” Barden. Mac also hit Sean Walker for the longest Commodore gain of the day good for 38 yards. Yes, Vanderbilt DID beat Auburn with it’s backup QB but it’s not like we had to rely on anyone close to what Oregon went through. Mac is a proven winner and a luxury if you are a Commodore fan.