Published November 29, 2011 - 10:04am
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Ever since James Franklin stepped foot on Vanderbilt’s campus, good things have been happening in recruiting, energy and results on the field. The offense is really competing at a high level, the defense has stepped up their game just as much, and this team is now bowl eligible – and not to mention way ahead of schedule.
A huge reason for that success for the Commodores, among other things, is the surprise play of running back Zac Stacy.
Stacy was third in rushing in the SEC only to Alabama’s Trent Richardson and Auburn’s Michael Dyer. Obviously, he would have been behind Marcus Lattimore, but Lattimore’s season was cut short.
Stacy gained 1,136 yards on 183 carries, averaging a whopping 6.2 yards per carry, higher than both Richardson and Dyer. Stacy also scored 13 rushing touchdowns, second to only Trent Richardson (20). Stacy also finished second behind Richardson in scoring (TDs) in the SEC, averaging 6.5 points per game.
HERE IS STACY TORCHING WAKE FOREST’S DEFENSE:
He did this all year, against SEC defenses, too.
Stacy is now the all-time leading Vanderbilt rusher in a season, passing Corey Harris.
Congratulations go out to Zac Stacy and Vanderbilt Commodores on a fine, fine season in Nashville.
This is perhaps a little off topic, but why is it that Vandy can have a moderate level of success in the SEC but Duke can’t get a thing going in the ACC? I would assume both schools have similar academic standards and the following recruiting limitations? Also, both schools clearly have the big buck to be competitive.
Trey
I think it comes down to the conference and coaching. It’s hard to argue with the beautiful job James Franklin has done, while David Cutcliffe has struggled somewhat at Duke.
It is a great question, and I do not have the answer.