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Dylan Sampson is close to breaking one of the oldest records in Tennessee football history.
Through 7 games, Sampson has already rushed for a staggering 17 touchdowns. When the Vols take the field again in Week 10 against Kentucky, he’ll just need 1 score to tie the program’s single-season rushing TD record that was set nearly a century ago.
Back in 1929, Gene McEver rushed for 18 touchdowns and helped lead the Volunteers to an undefeated season under the legendary Bob Neyland. Almost 95 years later, Sampson is poised to tied — and break — that record.
Sampson is already in rare air. Sampson’s most recent touchdown made him the first Tennessee running back to score 17 times on the ground in a single season since Reggie Cobb way back in 1987. Tony Thompson is the only other former UT player to even reach 15 rushing touchdowns in a single campaign, accomplishing the feat in 1990.
Sampson has arguably been Tennessee’s best player this season. In addition to his prolific scoring streak, he’s averaging 5.8 yards per carry. His 838 rushing yards on the year is also good enough to lead all SEC rushers through 8 weeks.
Sampson could conceivably make a run at Tennessee’s career rushing touchdowns record later this season. He currently has 30 in his career. The all-time record is also held by McEver with 37. Sampson’s mark is already good for 4th all-time in program history.
Sampson will have a chance to break the single-season record with a couple of scores on Nov. 2 against Kentucky.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
