Watch: Dylan Sampson breaks down his eight-play, 46-yard touchdown drive at Oklahoma

Tennessee Football led 12-3 at Oklahoma last week when the Vols took possession at the Oklahoma 46-yard line with five minutes, 20 seconds left in the second quarter. 

Defensive back Jakobe Thomas had just recovered a fumble on a pass that was ruled to be a lateral. It was the third turnover of the game for Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold and the one that ultimately would get him benched. 

Tennessee was already in control, but it was time to put the game away. So the Vols turned to Dylan Sampson and Dylan Sampson alone. 

“It was a tough game,” Sampson said this week during an appearance on a Tennessee Athletics podcast. “We knew the mindset that it was going to be.”

The mindset of the drive was running straight at Oklahoma. Sampson rushed eight straight times, covering all 46 yards and finally plowing into the end zone with 1:40 left in the half, giving Tennessee a commanding 19-3 lead. 

He broke down the drive during the podcast appearance, going play by play.   

breaking down the Dylan Sampson drive w/ @dylans21527 💪

Listen to the full pod now:https://t.co/nEAMOytGsx#GBO 🍊 pic.twitter.com/tPJgydkjXF

— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) September 26, 2024

After being stopped for no gain on the first play of the drive, Sampson went for eight on second down, spinning his way out of one tackle while breaking others.

“Trying to get as many yards as I can,” he said. “Spin move off of this guy, got about eight yards.”

On third-and-two at the 38, Sampson went for 10 more yards and a first down.

“Found another small hole again,” Sampson said. “I think I ducked under somebody. I don’t know how I did that. Broke about four tackles. 

“The thing about it, that was the longest run we had at that point all night.”

It was the longest run of the game but would only stay that way for a few more plays. 

“Kind of understood at this point what kind of drive this was going to be,’ Sampson said. “I wanted them to keep giving me the ball, too.”

Sampson rushed for three yards on the following first down, then two on second-and-seven, setting up third-and-five at the OU 23. 

“Just get downhill plays,” he said. “They weren’t big, spectacular plays, but they kept the chains moving.”

On third-and-five, Nico Iamaleava ran right, then pitched to Sampson who turned up field for a gain of six, just enough to move the chains. 

“This was just a great call,” Sampson said. “The little option with me and Nico. Great call from Coach Halzle and Coach Heup. You’ve got Dayne (Davis) running out there. I just need him to get a piece on him. 

“I was just trying to go full speed downhill and try to get the first down.”

Tennessee was down to the 17-yard line with another fresh set of downs. First down was the biggest run of the drive, with Sampson going for 16 to get the Vols down to the one.

“Somebody actually comes unblocked,” Sampson said. “I feel him right away, kind of do a little sidestep. This was probably the longest run we had all night. 

“I really tried to score right here. I was in that mode at this point.”

Sampson threw the ball to the official as soon as he got up, hurrying the offense back to the line. 

“I know the mindset when we get down here,” he said. “I want them to call a running play. 

As if there was anything else Tennessee was going to call at this point. On first-and-goal at the one, an Oklahoma linebacker penetrates the backfield only to have Sampson run through the attempted tackle. 

“(He) kind of wraps me up,” Sampson said. “But I kind of spin move off of him. And at this point I’m just driving my feet.” 

When his feet stopped, he had to look down to see where he was. Finally in the end zone.

“I really didn’t realize I was in the end zone,” Sampson said, “then I looked down the pylon. I get up, I put my hands up and I’m like, I just scored! 

“When they reviewed it, Coach was like just stay right here. I was like, I’m out of here. I’m going to the sideline. I got in.”

Sampson finished the night with 24 carries for 92 yards, leading a Tennessee rushing attack that went for 151 yards on 52 carries. 

The touchdown was his 10th of the season, leading all of college football. He earned it the hard way. Eight plays, eight straight carries, all 46 yards.

“That was a big drive,” Sampson said. “We needed that.”