KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — After Tennessee’s strong offensive showing on the road in Saturday’s win at Kentucky, a pair of Vols received weekly awards from multiple organizations on Monday. Senior quarterback Joey Aguilar was recognized by the East-West Shrine Bowl as its Monday Morning Quarterback and tabbed to the Davey O’Brien Award ‘Great 8’ list for Week 9, while junior tackle Lance Heard was selected as SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week.
Aguilar was 20-of-26 for 396 yards and three touchdowns in leading Tennessee to a 56-34 road win over the Wildcats. His 396 passing yards were the most by a quarterback in the Josh Heupel era and the most by a Vol in any game since Jarrett Guarantano had 415 at Missouri on Nov. 23, 2019. Aguilar posted his third 300-yard game of the season, becoming the first Vol with three 300-yard games in a single season since Hendon Hooker had four in 2022.
As part of being named to the Great 8 list for Week 9, Aguilar was added to the official Davey O’Brien Award Midseason Watch List. The Antioch, California, native is a member of numerous other watch lists for national honors – including the Maxwell Award, Manning Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and Hispanic College Football Player of the Year.
Heard played all 59 offensive snaps in a flawless left tackle start as Tennessee rolled up 504 yards in its win at Kentucky. Heard did not allow a sack, a hurry or a penalty and protected for Aguilar, who passed for a season-high 396 yards — the most by an individual QB in the Heupel era.
Tennessee has earned 48 weekly honors from the SEC under Heupel since 2021, including seven so far this season.
