FWAA Vanderbilt News

Offensive tackle Gunnar Hansen helped Vanderbilt hold the ball and maintain drives against No. 1 Alabama last Saturday, leading to the season’s most surprising upsets as the Commodores kept scoring and never trailed in a 40-35 takedown of the Crimson Tide. For his top blocking grades and leadership up front in the Commodores’ first win over a top-ranked team in program history, Hansen earned the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week honor for games played the weekend of Oct. 5, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

DALLAS (FWAA) – The Vanderbilt Commodores earned the Cheez-It National Team of the Week earlier this season celebrating their first win in two years over a team receiving votes in the national polls. Saturday the Commodores climbed the scales and took down No. 1 Alabama in a thrilling 40-35 home win. For the program’s first win over a top-ranked team, Vanderbilt has again earned the Cheez-It National Team of the Week award for games played the weekend of Oct. 5, as selected by the All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America.

On Saturday, in front of its first home sellout crowd in a nonconference game since 2017, the Vanderbilt Commodores rallied to win their third straight season-opener, topping Virginia Tech, 34-27. The overtime win earned Vanderbilt the Cheez-It National Team of the Week for games the weekend of Aug. 31, as selected by the All-America committee of the Football Writers Association of America.

The 2023 Football Writers Association of America All-America Team, presented in partnership with the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, is highlighted by seven repeat All-Americans and a record 10 players from the four teams competing in the College Football Playoff at the front of players from 36 different schools. There are 22 schools represented from eight Football Bowl Subdivision conferences on the first team and all 10 conferences plus an Independent are included on the overall 54-man team.

Vanderbilt’s De’Rickey Wright is this week’s nominee for the 2023 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Wright, a senior, lost his mother in 2020 and has fought through both football and injury concerns to be on the brink of becoming the first person from his family to graduate from college.

A look at the top performances from freshman players and first-year head coaches in Week 3 of the 2022 college football season.

Commodores win at Florida for first time since 1945

Commodores end 13-game drought vs. Auburn

Commodores stifle South Carolina for biggest win since 1937