Dylan Sampson is on the verge of breaking one of the oldest records in Tennessee football history.

Sampson has already scored an incredible 17 touchdowns in seven games. When the Vols take the field again in Week 10 against Kentucky, he’ll need just one score to break the program’s single-season rushing TD record, set nearly a century ago.

In 1929, Gene McEver scored 18 touchdowns and helped the Volunteers to an undefeated season under the legendary Bob Neyland. Nearly 95 years later, Sampson is poised to achieve – and break – that record.

Sampson is already in rarefied 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 in 1987. Tony Thompson is the only other former UT player to ever score 15 rushing touchdowns in a single season. accomplished the feat in 1990.

Sampson was arguably Tennessee’s best player this season. In addition to his prolific scoring streak, he averages 5.8 yards per carry. His 838 rushing yards this year are also good enough to lead all SEC rushers through eight weeks.

It’s conceivable that Sampson could match Tennessee’s career rushing touchdown 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 season record with a pair of goals on November 2nd against Kentucky.