Tuesday, August 18, 2009

2008 Rewind: Hamilton picks off Rebels

by Barca Blog - We just released our second 2008 Rewind feature on VUcommodores.com.

Vanderbilt's 3-0 start to the season was in jeopardy after a rocky start in Oxford, Miss. Ole Miss took a 10-0 lead after scoring on a field goal and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown on consecutive possessions in the opening quarter.

Jared Hawkins then fumbled on the first play of the next series, putting Ole Miss at Vanderbilt's 20 yard line with a chance to deliver a knockout blow.

On the very next play, safety Ryan Hamilton stepped up and provided the next highlight... his first of three interceptions that resulted in him being named the Football Writers Association of America/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week.

"I had the opportunity to just read off their quarterback's eyes," Hamilton recalled. "I saw what the receiver was doing and just made a great break on the ball and luckily I caught it.

"I felt that play helped everyone realize that the game could turn around at any second, and all we had to do was keep playing hard to set the offense up for good opportunities to score."

The rest is history as the 'Dores went on to win, 23-17.

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