University of Tennessee Athletics
James Pearce Jr. Tabbed SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week
October 02, 2023 | Football
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Southeastern Conference office announced Monday that Tennessee sophomore James Pearce Jr. has been named the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week after a dominant performance in Saturday's victory over South Carolina.
The disruptive edge rusher shined under the lights of Neyland Stadium, registering three tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks and one QB hurry in Tennessee's 41-20 win over the Gamecocks. It was Pearce's second multi-sack game of the season, upping his total to five for the season, which ranks second in the SEC.
Pearce provided the pressure for the game's biggest play, logging a QB hurry to force Spencer Rattler to throw a pick-six in the final seconds of the first half that put the Vols up double-digits. He followed that drive with a half-sack to knock the Gamecocks out of Tennessee territory and stall a drive that could have led to points before halftime.
His third and final tackle of the game came with a seven-yard solo sack of Rattler in the fourth quarter. Pearce had a hand in three of the Vols' six sacks as a team, their most in any SEC game of the Josh Heupel era.
Pearce is the second Vol to earn SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week accolades this season, joining senior defensive end Tyler Baron who was recognized after Tennessee's season-opening win over Virginia. During the Heupel era (2021-present), Tennessee has compiled 25 SEC weekly awards — including five Defensive Lineman of the Week honors.
After an open week, the No. 22/18 Vols (4-1, 1-1 SEC) return to Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 14 for an interdivisional matchup with Texas A&M. Kickoff time and TV designation for that contest will be announced by the conference office Monday afternoon.
SEC Weekly Awards - Week 5
Co-Offensive Players of the Week
Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
Ray Davis, RB, Kentucky
Defensive Player of the Week
Smael Mondon, LB, Georgia
Special Teams Players of the Week
Ainias Smith, WR/PR/KR, Texas A&M
Offensive Lineman of the Week
Jeremy Flax, OL, Kentucky
Defensive Lineman of the Week
James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee
Co-Freshmen of the Week
Caleb Downs, S, Alabama
Peyton Woodring, PK, Georgia
The disruptive edge rusher shined under the lights of Neyland Stadium, registering three tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks and one QB hurry in Tennessee's 41-20 win over the Gamecocks. It was Pearce's second multi-sack game of the season, upping his total to five for the season, which ranks second in the SEC.
Pearce provided the pressure for the game's biggest play, logging a QB hurry to force Spencer Rattler to throw a pick-six in the final seconds of the first half that put the Vols up double-digits. He followed that drive with a half-sack to knock the Gamecocks out of Tennessee territory and stall a drive that could have led to points before halftime.
His third and final tackle of the game came with a seven-yard solo sack of Rattler in the fourth quarter. Pearce had a hand in three of the Vols' six sacks as a team, their most in any SEC game of the Josh Heupel era.
Pearce is the second Vol to earn SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week accolades this season, joining senior defensive end Tyler Baron who was recognized after Tennessee's season-opening win over Virginia. During the Heupel era (2021-present), Tennessee has compiled 25 SEC weekly awards — including five Defensive Lineman of the Week honors.
After an open week, the No. 22/18 Vols (4-1, 1-1 SEC) return to Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 14 for an interdivisional matchup with Texas A&M. Kickoff time and TV designation for that contest will be announced by the conference office Monday afternoon.
SEC Weekly Awards - Week 5
Co-Offensive Players of the Week
Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
Ray Davis, RB, Kentucky
Defensive Player of the Week
Smael Mondon, LB, Georgia
Special Teams Players of the Week
Ainias Smith, WR/PR/KR, Texas A&M
Offensive Lineman of the Week
Jeremy Flax, OL, Kentucky
Defensive Lineman of the Week
James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee
Co-Freshmen of the Week
Caleb Downs, S, Alabama
Peyton Woodring, PK, Georgia
Players Mentioned
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