The sophomore defensive back recovered a Tennessee-record three fumbles against Virginia Tech

Sept. 12, 2016

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Tennessee sophomore defensive back Micah Abernathy was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, as announced by the league office. The award is the first of Abernathy’s career.

Abernathy set a new Tennessee record when he recovered three fumbles in the Vols’ 45-24 win over Virginia Tech on Saturday at the Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol. The previous Tennessee record was two fumbles recovered, achieved most recently by Eric Westmoreland against Wyoming in 1999.

Abernathy’s three fumble recoveries resulted in 14 points for the Vols. His first recovery came at the start of the second quarter, with Tennessee trailing 14-0. His scoop of a botched handoff at the 5-yard line set up quarterback Joshua Dobbs’ touchdown pass to Jauan Jennings. Abernathy’s second fumble recovery was early in the fourth quarter and halted a 10-play, 45-yard Virginia Tech drive. On the Vols’ following possession, Abernathy recovered a VT fumble while playing punt coverage, grabbing the loose ball at the VT 43-yard line. Tennessee turned his third fumble recovery into a 27-yard Dobbs TD run and a 38-17 lead.

In all, Tennessee forced and recovered five Virginia Tech fumbles on Saturday night.

A native of Atlanta, Abernathy becomes Tennessee’s first SEC Defensive Player of the Week since 2013 when Brian Randolph clinched the honors.

The Vols are back in action this Saturday when they host Ohio at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.