Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson set an all-time Volunteer record in grand fashion as he was pushed into the end zone by an offense that just wouldn’t quit.
“I ain’t gonna lie,” the junior said. “I’m surprised they didn’t blow the whistle. That meant a lot to me. I’m going to cherish that play forever because I think my teammates wanted me to get that as much, or probably even more, than I did.”
Sampson set the new single season record for rushing touchdowns with 19 when he broke a 95-year-old record held by former Vol Gene McEver, who had 18 in 1929. The record-setting play came on a seven-yard touchdown run in the third quarter in which Sampson was carried and/or pushed into the end zone by his teammates, including quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
“Even got Nico and he came in and pushed people,” Sampson said. “That just shows like the brotherhood we got and how much we want each other to succeed.”
It was hard to even see Sampson as he was amidst the many Vols shoving him into the record books.
“I keep my feet driving, especially when I feel my teammates helping me,” Sampson said. “I don’t know how close I was, but I was like,’ I’m gonna keep going till they blow the whistle. And that’s what my teammates did, too.”
When asked what the record meant, Sampson said, “It’s a blessing to break that record. Gene and his family, who’ve held that record for so long, it’s a huge shout out to them, too, because I’m just blessed to be able to break that record. But…how far can we go as an offense? It’s not over. I’m glad I accomplished that. Now it’s time to keep putting more stats up there and keep being dominant.”
The Vols have been dominant at times on offense this season, but rarely against SEC teams. Despite the double-digit win, Tennessee still struggled with mistakes on offense and actually trailed the struggling Cats 10-7 at halftime. The No. 7 Vols should be ranked among the top 12 teams in the College Football Playoff rankings, which will be announced on Tuesday, but there is still plenty of work to do on offense.
“I don’t think it’s satisfaction,” Sampson said of his emotions after the win. “You never take a win for granted. You definitely appreciate the fight and strain from everybody because football is not going to be perfect…But you take a step back and we wake up tomorrow and we watch film like this game is, you know, very close to (scoring) like 40 or 50 points, at least from the offensive side of the ball.
“At some point in time, we got to flip the switch. All of us…just stop making little mistakes. That hurt us.
Samson had his second fumble of the season against Kentucky. The other occurred in the Vols’ last game, against Alabama, but his record certainly overshadowed one of the few mistakes he’s made in his record-setting season.
