COUNTDOWN: Vanderbilt's No. 12 defensive play of the year

Sure, we're counting down the 12 plays of Christmas on offense, too, but our defensive list is most important. With limited offensive production, the defense sealed Commodore wins by stopping the other team when it mattered most, putting the Vanderbilt offense in position to score with little effort, and in some cases just going ahead and providing the offense themselves.

So here we go with No. 12:

12. DORES SACK SMELLEY LATE (SOUTH CAROLINA 9/4): On second down late in the South Carolina game, Greg Billinger sacked Chris Smelley back at the VU40, putting the Gamecocks out of field goal position. Steven Stone would sack Smelley on the next play to bring up fourth and 18, forcing Steve Spurrier to punt behind by seven points with just over two minutes remaining. The Commodore offense would run out the clock to end the game.