Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson and center Cooper Mays continue to get their just rewards for their play.
The two Vols were honored by the SEC with weekly awards, which were announced on Monday. Sampson was tabbed the SEC Offensive Player of the Week. The junior rushed for a career-high-tying 139 yards on 26 carries with two touchdowns to lead Tennessee to a 24-17 win over the Alabama on Saturday. Both of Sampson’s scores came in the second half. Moreover, Sampson ran for 83 of his 139 yards after contact. His 139 rushing yards on Saturday were the most by a player against Alabama since Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels of LSU had 163 on Nov. 4, 2023.
Mays was named SEC Co-Offensive lineman of the week. The senior captain led the Vols’ offense, which put up 408 total yards and 214 rushing yards, the most rushing yards allowed by Alabama all season. The preseason All-American played all 76 offensive snaps and did not allow a sack or commit a penalty as Tennessee beat Alabama for the second time in a row in Neyland Stadium.
Sampson has now moved into a tie for second place in UT single-season rushing touchdowns with 17. The junior is just one shy of a 95-year-old school record of 18 set by Gene McEver in 1929. Sampson also eclipsed the 100-yard mark for an SEC-leading sixth time this season, which is now tied for sixth in UT single-season history. Sampson also notched multiple rushing touchdowns for the sixth time this season after no other Volunteer this century (2000-24) had even five in a single campaign. Sampson is now fourth in rushing touchdowns (30) and sixth in 100-yard rushing games (10) in Tennessee school history.
The Alabama game was the 21st consecutive game that Mays did not allow a sack, a streak that dates back to the 2022 season. According to PFF, Mays was the highest graded blocker in the game on both sides of the ball at 82.9. He led the way for a Tennessee offensive line that tallied 10 points in the fourth quarter, including a 7-play, 54-yard go-ahead drive with 5:52 remaining.
The Vols have earned 10 SEC weekly honors this season and 39 during coach Josh Heupel’s tenure began in 2021.
