Nickson named SEC Offensive Player of the Week

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- Vanderbilt senior quarterback Chris Nickson was named Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Tuesday for his performance in the Commodores' 34-13 win over Miami (Ohio) last Thursday.

The Brundidge, Alabama native accounted for 257 yards of total offense and three touchdowns. Nickson rushed for a career-high 166 yards on 20 carries and scored two touchdowns on the ground. He also completed 9-of-16 pass attempts for 91 yards and a touchdown.

On the verge of becoming just the third Commodore quarterback to ever pass for 3,000 yards and rush for a 1,000 yards in his Vanderbilt career, Nickson was making his first start since a October 13th game against Georgia last fall.

As a result of the win over Miami, Vanderbilt is now 8-11 in games started by Nickson since the start of the 2006 season.

Three former Commodores received offensive player of the week honors from the league last season, including current Chicago Bears Earl Bennett and Chris Williams. Current Vanderbilt cornerback D.J. Moore also received SEC defensive player of the week honors last season.

The Southeastern Conference also recognized Kentucky defensive tackle Myron Pryor as the league's defensive player of the week, Florida returner Brandon James as the league's special teams player of the week and Ole Miss running back Brandon Bolden as the league's freshman of the week. Alabama also swept the offensive and defensive lineman of the week awards with junior guard Mike Johnson being recognized on offensive side and junior nose guard Terrence Cody being recognized on the defensive side.

The Commodores will return to action this Thursday for a ESPN national broadcast contest against SEC Eastern Division foe South Carolina at 7:30 P.M. Central time. On Tuesday, the Gamecocks moved into both the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Coaches Top 25 polls.