LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky junior defensive tackle Donte Rumph has been named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Lineman of the Week by the league office for his strong performance in Kentucky’s 34-3 victory over Samford on Saturday.

A native of St. Matthews, S. C., Rumph totaled five tackles (four solo tackles) with a sack and a caused fumble in Kentucky’s 34-3 win against Samford. In the second quarter, Rumph recorded a sack and knocked the football out of the hands of Samford’s quarterback, allowing Tristian Johnson to return the loose ball 25 yards for a touchdown. All totaled, the Wildcat defense limited Samford to -2 yards rushing on 27 attempts and recorded five sacks of Bulldog quarterbacks. Samford had 102 total offensive yards for the game. It marked the first time since 1996 that UK has limited a team to negative rushing yards.

On the season, Rumph has 34 tackles, four sacks, five tackles for loss and a fumble forced. Rumph’s best game this season came against his home-state school South Carolina, when he recorded a career-high tying six stops, including a sack.

On Sunday, UK linebacker Avery Williamson was named Honorable Mention Linebacker of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards. It was the second honor of the season for Williamson, who leads the SEC in total tackles at 128 and is third in the nation in tackles per game with 11.6.