KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A pair of Tennessee players received weekly honors after the Vols beat Texas A&M, 20-13.
Sophomore edge rusher James Pearce Jr. was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week for the second time, while return specialist Dee Williams was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Pearce provided pressure throughout the whole game against the Aggies. He registered three tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and a dominant career-high five quarterback hurries as A&M managed only 54 rushing yards. He was the highest-graded defensive player in the game at 92.2, according to Tennessee Athletics.
This season, Pearce is the SEC's highest-graded defensive end at 91.6 and now ranks second in the SEC in sacks (6.0) and third in tackles for loss (9.0).
With 8:53 remaining in the third quarter and the Vols trailing 10-7, Williams downed a UT punt at the 1-yard line. After a three-and-out by the Aggies, Williams then fielded a punt and made his way 39 yards for a touchdown to give Tennessee the lead. It was his second career punt return touchdown and first since a 73-yard burst in last year's Vanderbilt game.
Williams is the fourth Vol with multiple career punt return touchdowns since 2000.
