Vanderbilt junior linebacker Patrick Benoist was honored as the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week after a tremendous performance against 24th-ranked South Carolina Thursday night.

Benoist had 15 tackles including one for loss, as well as a sack and a pass deflection in Vanderbilt's 24-17 victory.

He's the second straight Commodore to be honored by the conference, following quarterback Chris Nickson who was named Offensive Player of the Week after a 257-yard, three-touchdown performance against Miami (Ohio) in the season opener.