Entering Week 9, the most yards the Tennessee Volunteers had allowed in a game was 356. That came back in Week 2 at Georgia Tech, when the Yellow Jackets lost by 21 points. Nearly half of Tech’s yards (173) came in the fourth quarter when they trailed by multiple scores.
So, the South Carolina Gamecocks putting up 344 yards across just 25:48 time of possession in their 27-24 victory over the Vols was a mighty feat. And they wouldn’t have pulled it off without center Nolan Hay.
On Tuesday, the Football Writers Association of America named Hay the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week. Hay, a fifth-year player from Katy, TX, is the second South Carolina lineman to earn the Outland Trophy Player of the Week honor, joining guard Torricelli Simpkins III (2024).
Prior to joining the Gamecocks in 2025, Hay spent time with Houston Christian and Incarnate Word. He played right tackle as a junior with the Cardinals and earned All-Southland Conference honors from Phil Steele for his performance. Hay was on the 2025 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll during his first season in Columbia.
South Carolina (4-3, 2-3 SEC) travels to Oklahoma (4-3, 2-2 SEC) on Halloween. The Gamecocks and Sooners kick off at 4:15 p.m. ET (SEC Network).
