BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Southeastern Conference announced Monday that Tennessee senior tackle Darnell Wright has been named SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week after UT’s dominant win over Kentucky Saturday night.
The Huntington, West Virginia, native blocked and paved the way for a Tennessee offense that put up 422 total yards—127 more than Kentucky’s defensive average allowed—as the No. 3 Vols topped the No. 19 Wildcats, 44-6, in Neyland Stadium. The 38-point margin of victory represented UT’s highest over a ranked SEC opponent since 1990.
Making his 37th career start, Wright saw action on 68 offensive snaps at right tackle and did not allow a sack, pressure or penalty. He was the highest graded offensive player in the game (91.2) according to Pro Football Focus and helped the Vols snap Kentucky’s 11-game streak of holding opponents to 24 or fewer points.
Wright has not allowed a sack in 540 offensive snaps this season, a streak that extends 14 consecutive games dating back to last year. The 2023 NFL Draft prospect and Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List member has been tabbed SEC Offensive Lineman twice this season, picking up the honors earlier in the year after a strong showing against No. 3 Alabama.
Through the first nine weeks of the 2022 season, the Vols have earned 11 SEC weekly honors—the most of any team in the conference. UT’s 11 SEC weekly awards this year are its most in a single season since also having 11 in 2004, which is the program record.
The No. 2/3 Vols (8-0, 4-0 SEC) head to Athens, Georgia, this weekend for a rare No. 1 vs. No. 2 regular season matchup against No. 1/1 Georgia (8-0, 5-0 SEC). The divisional clash of unbeatens will kickoff between the hedges Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.