Vanderbilt wide receiver Jordan Matthews all but assured himself the SEC record for career receptions Saturday with 12 against Kentucky, leaving him just three short of former Commodore Earl Bennett, now of the Chicago Bears.
As tennessean.com notes, Bennett set the record in just three seasons, while Matthews has required four. Nevertheless, his consistent production has drawn respect from teammates.
"He does his thing every day. He's going to have his opportunities because of his work ethic and what he does on a daily basis," said quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels.
Matthews now has 233 career catches, just behind Bennett's 236, with two regular-season games left to play. Matthews should set the new mark next weekend on the road at in-state rival Tennessee. If the Vols somehow hold the senior star to less than three receptions, he'll have another chance the following week at home against Wake Forest. The Commodores also have qualified for a third consecutive bowl appearance. Matthews' 12 receptions against the Wildcats were a career-high, and his 3,358 career receiving yards is also a league record.
Matthews is among the top prospects at his position for the 2014 NFL Draft.
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