BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Tennessee senior quarterback Joshua Dobbs has been named SEC Offensive Player of the Week and junior defensive end Derek Barnett has been named SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week, as announced by the conference office on Monday.
This week’s honor marks the first time this season that a Vol has earned SEC Offensive Player of the Week. Dobbs was the last UT player to win the award in Week 6 of 2015 following his performance in the Vols’ win over Georgia.
Dobbs has also been named to the Davey O’Brien “Great 8” for Week 4, marking the second time (previously Week 2) he has been a finalist for the Davey O’Brien Quarterback of the Week Award.
The senior captain led the Vols back from a 21-point deficit to defeat Florida 38-28on Saturday and end UT’s 11-game losing streak against the Gators. The comeback tied for the third-largest comeback in Tennessee history.
Dobbs was responsible for five touchdowns, completing 16 of 32 passes for a career-high 319 yards, a career-high four touchdowns and two interceptions and rushing for 80 yards and one score on 17 carries. He shined in the second half, going 9-for-12 for 235 yards, four touchdowns and one interception with nine carries for 41 yards and a score. After trailing 21-0 in the second quarter, Dobbs and the Tennessee offense scored 38-straight points to seize momentum from the Gators.
All four of his touchdown passes on Saturday were 20-yards or longer. His first was a 23-yard pass to Jalen Hurd that brought the Vols to within 21-10. His second was a 20-yard pass down the middle to Ethan Wolf that put the Vols within one score at 21-17. His third was a 67-yarder to Jauan Jennings down the right sideline that gave Tennessee a 24-21 lead. His fourth was a 42-yard strike to Josh Malone that extended the lead to 31-21.
Dobbs is now 18-5 in his last 23 games as Tennessee’s starting quarterback and 18-8 overall in his career.
He now has 36 career touchdown passes, tying him with Jonathan Crompton (2006-09), Heath Schuler (1991-93) and Andy Kelly (1988-91) for fifth-most in Tennessee history.
The last time a Vol earned SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors was Week 12 of the 2014 season when Barnett garnered recognition for a seven-tackle, four-TFL, two-sack performance against Kentucky.
He was also named College Sports Madness SEC Defensive Player of the Week.
Barnett enjoyed his best game of the season with five tackles (three solo), two sacks for six yards, three tackles for loss for eight yards and one pass breakup. He sparked Tennessee’s second-half defense, which limited Florida to just one touchdown after halftime. His energy in the third quarter fueled the rest of the defense as the Gators managed just 102 yards in the second half.
Both of Barnett’s sacks came at key moments. He recorded the 21st sack of his career, bringing Austin Appleby down for a one-yard sack late in the third quarter on a 3rd-and-10. Barnett made the 22nd sack of his career in the fourth quarter on 3rd-and-6 at the UF 24 to force a punt. He surpassed Parys Haralson (21, 2002-05), John Henderson (20.5, 19998-2001) and James Wilson (20.5, 1989-93) to move to No. 5 on UT’s all-time sack list.
He now ranks third among all active FBS players with 22.0 career sacks.
Barnett now also has 39 tackles for loss in his career, moving him past Todd Kelly (36.5, 1989-92) and Henderson (38.5, 1998-2001) to fifth place on Tennessee’s all-time list.
With the Vols up 38-28 in the fourth, Barnett also broke up a pass intended for Antonio Callaway on first down as the UT defense shut down the Gators one more time on their final possession.
The No. 11/11 Vols head to Athens, Ga., to face No. 25/20 Georgia on Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. ET game on CBS.