By: D. Yobach Boswell
Atlanta Ga. - In a breakout opening season that helped to propel Vanderbilt’s offense, Freshman running back Warren Norman wracked up some impressive yardage. So much so that on Monday he was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year as voted on by a panel of Associated Press’ (AP) sports writers.
The newcomer had a record setting year for both his school, and the conference as well. He did so at the expense of fellow Georgia native and legendary University of George Heisman Trophy winner Hershel Walker. The freshman out of Stone Mountain, Ga, a community in the greater Atlanta area, amassed 1,941 all-purpose yards, breaking the league's freshman all-purpose record set by Walker in 1980. He also became the first freshman to lead the SEC in all-purpose yardage since Walker, averaging 161.8 all-purpose yards per game.
Photo by John Russell, courtesy of Vanderbilt
Not only did Norman carry the ball out of the backfield, but as a dynamic kick returner he also tied a league record by returning three kickoffs for touchdowns; breaking the SEC record for kickoff return yards in a season, with 1,050 yards in returns.
Asked about breaking Walkers record in a Vanderbilt Athletics online interview Norman responded “well to be honest it really hasn’t sunk in yet. Right after the Tennessee game I heard I broke the record, but as soon as that was over with, I was thinking about the season in general, and overall team success. Right after that we had to get ready for finals and everything; I guess it’s just now really starting to sink in. To be mentioned with, you know, Hershel Walker, one of the greatest players to ever play in the SEC is an honor.
“Obviously this is a tremendous honor,” Coach Bobby Johnson said of Norman’s win. “You know, this is a great conference; to be named freshman of the year, you know, is obviously a huge accomplishment by Warren; but he earned it. He went on to say of his freshman running back and return man, “we’re extremely excited about the award, but we’re also excited about the future that Warren has here at Vanderbilt.”
Coach Johnson also spoke of Senior Cornerback Myron Lewis receiving second team all SEC honors saying “I think he’s one of the very best corners in the conference. I think Myron will have a great future in the NFL, and had a fantastic career for us.”
Lewis ends his SEC campaign tied for second in interceptions, contributing four this year for the black and gold defense.
Sophomore linebacker Chris Marve was also recognized as honorable mention All-SEC, as he lead the Commodores in tackles this year. He was third in the entire league in 2009 with 57 solo tackles.
These are the bright spots in a disappointing Commodore season in which the squad finished 2 – 10 on an 8 game losing streak to end the year; including going 0 – 8 in conference play. This coming the year after Vanderbilt had a strong 4 – 4 SEC campaign in 2008, earning them a trip to the music city bowl where they defeated Boston College, leading to their first winning season in 27 at 7- 6.
Bobby Johnson looks to get his team back on track in 2010 with Norman and Marve leading the way on either side of the ball.
References: http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/sports/vanderbilt-runnerreturner-named-secs-top-freshman-2009>http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120709aab.html Read more: http://www.blogdoctor.me/2007/02/expandable-post-summaries.html#ixzz0fvTXmFSF
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