Junior Dylan Sampson in No. 2 in the nation in rushing touchdowns (15) and No. 8 in total yards (699) through six games.

-- Tennessee Athletics/Utsports.Com

Tennessee’s offense has hit a few rough spots over the last few weeks, with the Vols struggling to create explosive plays, stretch defenses and generate points. It’s been up to Dylan Sampson to carry a larger load, and the junior running back has answered the call.

Sampson has rushed 118 times for 701 yards and 15 touchdowns in six games this season, already exceeding his 2023 season totals (106 carries, 604 yards, 7 TDs). The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native ranks eighth in the nation in total rushing yards and second in rushing touchdowns behind Boise State’s Heisman contender Ashton Jeanty.

Sampson is coming off a game in which he ran for 112 yards on a career-high 27 carries with three touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime, as Tennessee rallied to beat rival Florida 23-17 last weekend at Neyland Stadium.

“I think that No. 1 is he’s just doing his job. He’s trusting his read, he’s trusting the offensive line and then when the big plays have to be made, he’s allowing himself to be able to go do that,” Tennessee running backs coach De’Rail Sims says. “I think you see that in terms of him being comfortable in the offense, him being comfortable with the offensive line and then seeing the plays as just getting ready to develop and then giving himself a chance. Once he gets into the third level, it’s on him from that standpoint. So he’s done a phenomenal job.”

Here comes the Tide

The 11th-ranked Vols (5-1, 2-1 SEC) face an even bigger test this weekend against another rival as No. 7 Alabama (5-1, 2-1) returns to Neyland for the first time since the Vols snapped a 15-game losing streak against the Tide with a last-second 52-49 victory that led to a field storm and the goalposts being dumped in the Tennessee River.

Both teams enter the game on a similar path. Tennessee suffered a surprising road loss to Arkansas, followed by a slim home win over an opponent they were favored to beat by much more. Alabama suffered a surprising road loss to Vanderbilt, followed by a slim win at home over South Carolina.

The Third Saturday in October showdown is important for both teams in terms of staying in the running for a spot in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.

“Rivalry game and college football is as good as it gets here with these two teams playing,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel says. “Looking forward to seeing our fans on Saturday and need a great week of practice, preparation. Really good football team that we’re playing.”

As redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava has endured some passing struggles over the last few games, Tennessee has relied on a Double-D strategy of Dylan and defense. Tennessee has yet to allow more than 19 points in a game, the first time that’s happened since 1969. Meanwhile, the Vols have been shut out in two straight first halves of games for the first time under Heupel.

Sampson has remained the bright spot on offense. His 15 rushing touchdowns rank fourth on the program’s single-season leaderboard. He’s scored multiple touchdowns in five games, including three games with at least three touchdowns.

The 15 touchdowns are the most in a single season by a UT player since Tony Thompson had 16 in 1990. Reggie Cobb (17 in 1987) and Gene McEver (18 in 1929) are the only UT players with more. Per ESPN, it’s the most through six games by an SEC player since 1992.

“He’s always had great vision and great pace. Obviously, he has good long speed and he’s really good between tackles,” Heupel says. “I think his growth of continuing to understand what we’re doing and physical development, just his strength in the middle of the football field, he’s really strong in between the tackles. He continues to make a bunch of plays for us and finish the game in the right way, which is huge.”

Bulking for long haul

Knowing he would be the veteran in the backfield, the 5-foot-11, 201-pound Sampson made strides in the offseason, bulking up physically and embracing more of a leadership role.

“You look at his body and how his body has changed over the summer, he’s put on really good weight,” Sims says. “He does a really good job on second effort. Not allowing one guy to bring him down, exploding for plus-two past contact, which we talk about all the time. The extra weight gains that he’s put on and the good weight has helped him tremendously and it hasn’t made him lose a step or speed or quickness that he has.”

Before watching Sampson rush for 140 yards and two touchdowns against his team, Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman was already impressed by what he’s seen on film.

“He’s bad. He’s bad to the bone,” Pittman says. “He’s a good player. He’s really good to make you miss, to run over you. He’s a good player to make a catch. I like him a lot. He’s a really good player. … He breaks a lot of tackles.”

After being pegged as a sure-fire CFP contender through the first four weeks of the season, Tennessee’s status has weakened. Although UT is always happy to beat Florida, the Vols know they haven’t been performing up to their potential. Sampson may be having strong statistical games, but he’s not satisfied and knows UT will need to play better against the Tide.

“Just be critical of it, just like we do any game, enjoy tonight and come in again tomorrow, be critical of yourself in film, and just next game mentality,” Sampson said after the win over Florida. “Great preparation, not an ordinary, but a great week of practice and film study.”