VU’s Hamilton gets national honor

Vanderbilt junior safety Ryan Hamilton, who intercepted three passes against Ole Miss on Saturday, was named National Defensive Player of the Week on Sunday by the Walter Camp Football Foundation.

His three interceptions tied the school record, and he returned one 79 yards for a touchdown and grabbed another to seal VU's 23-17 win as time expired.

Hamilton also produced a critical goal-line stop on fourth down to prevent a Rebel score and added a fumble recovery on an Ole Miss punt return.

Hamilton and the Commodore defense pitched a second half shutout to pace Vanderbilt to only its third 4-0 start since 1984. The unit forced six Rebel turnovers, including four interceptions and two fumbles.

Such an outing has been a long time coming for Hamilton, VU coach Bobby Johnson said.

“Ryan has dropped a few in his career, but he was steady as a rock yesterday and made some big plays,” Johnson said Sunday.

Hamilton agreed.

“I’ve had a few go through my hands, so I guess I’m breaking even now,” he said. “It felt really good to get them.”

Hamilton's recognition by the Walter Camp Football Foundation marks the second time in three weeks that a Commodore defender has earned national recognition. Linebacker Patrick Benoist was named the Football Writers Association of American Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 9 for a 15-tackle effort in Vanderbilt's 24-17 victory over then-No. 24 South Carolina.