BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — After Tennessee’s gritty, thrilling victory over the No. 7 Alabama Crimson Tide on The Third Saturday in October, the Southeastern Conference office announced that a pair of Volunteers were recognized with weekly league honors. Junior running back Dylan Sampson was tabbed the SEC Offensive Player of the Week, while senior center Cooper Mays earned SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week accolades.
Sampson rushed for a career-high-tying 139 yards on 26 carries with two touchdowns to lead Tennessee’s offense to a 24-17 win over the Tide. Both of Sampson’s scores came in the second half, and 83 of his 139 yards came 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.
In only seven games this season, Sampson has now moved into a tie for second place in UT single-season rushing touchdowns with 17, one shy of a 95-year-old school record of 18 set by Gene McEver in 1929. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native 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.
In terms of the UT career record books, Sampson is now fourth in rushing touchdowns (30) and sixth in 100-yard rushing games (10).
Mays paved the way for a Tennessee offense that 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 No. 7 Alabama for the second time in a row at Neyland Stadium.
It 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 at 82.9. He led the way for a Vol offensive line that tallied 10 points in the fourth quarter, including a 7-play, 54-yard go-ahead drive with 5:52 remaining.
Tennessee has earned 10 SEC weekly honors this season and 39 during the Josh Heupel era (2021-present) — including seven Offensive Player of the Week awards and 11 Offensive Lineman of the Week accolades.
SEC Weekly Awards – Week 8
Offensive Player of the Week
Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
Co-Defensive Player of the Week
Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Special Teams Player of the Week
Damian Ramos, PK, LSU
Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week
Emery Jones, OT, LSU
Cooper Mays, C, Tennessee
Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week
Tonka Hemingway, DT, South Carolina
Mykel Williams, DT, Georgia
Freshman of the Week
Jadan Baugh, RB, Florida
Tennessee Football – 2024 SEC Weekly Honors
Offensive Player of the Week (1)
Dylan Sampson (vs. Alabama, 10/19)
Special Teams Player of the Week (1)
Max Gilbert (at Oklahoma, 9/21)
Offensive Lineman of the Week (2)
Cooper Mays (vs. NC State, 9/7; vs. Alabama, 10/19)
Defensive Lineman of the Week (2)
Joshua Josephs (at Oklahoma, 9/21)
James Pearce Jr. (vs. Florida, 10/12)
Freshman of the Week (4)
Boo Carter (vs. Florida, 10/12)
Nico Iamaleava (vs. Chattanooga, 8/31; vs. NC State, 9/7; at Oklahoma, 9/21)
