KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Senior defensive lineman Corey Miller added his second honor of the day on Monday night, earning NCAA National Defensive Player of the Week accolades for his record-setting performance in the Vols’ 27-14 win at Kentucky on Saturday.
With 4.5 sacks against the Wildcats, Miller broke Tennessee’s 30-year old single-game sack record set by Professional Football Hall of Famer Reggie White.
White registered 4.0 sacks against The Citadel on Oct. 1, 1983.
Miller finished the game with a career-best seven tackles, 4.5 sacks and one forced fumble, and was named the SEC’s Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week.
The Wellford, S.C., native closed his senior season with 6.5 total sacks, the most since former Vols Parys Haralson – currently of the New Orleans Saints – posted 8.5 and Jason Hall picked up 7.0 in 2005.
Earlier in the day, Miller and Tennessee offensive lineman Ja’Wuan James earned SEC Player of the Week honors for their sterling play in the Vols’ 27-14 season-ending victory over Kentucky.
The double nod marks the first time since Oct. 9, 2004 that the Vols have had a defensive and offensive line player of the week when Jason Hall (DL) and Rob Smith (OL) achieved the feat.
It is the first career honor for both players and the third and fourth player of the week honors for the Vols this season.
James, who made his 49th career start at right tackle on Saturday set the Tennessee record for most career starts by an offensive lineman, eclipsing the previous mark of 48 set by Jeff Smith from 1992-95. James has started and played every game at right tackle since 2010.
Against Kentucky, James helped block for Tennessee’s fifth 200-yard rushing game of the season as the Vols finished with 2,261 yards on the ground, the most since the 2004 team ran for 2,418 yards.
James also helped running back Rajion Neal crack the 1,000-yard rush mark setting a block as Neal sprang for a 60-yard dash on the game’s second play from scrimmage. Neal finished the year with 1,124 yards.
(E-mail Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com)