KNOXVILLE -- The performance Tennessee's offensive line had at Missouri on Saturday night did not go unnoticed by the SEC.
Sophomore center Coleman Thomas was tabbed the conference's offensive lineman of the week for his role in the Volunteers rushing for 248 yards and allowing no sacks in the 19-8 win in Columbia.
The Tigers were allowing only 113 yards per game.
Heading into Saturday's regular-season finale against Vanderbilt, Tennessee is second in the SEC in rushing with an average of 213.7 yards per game, which currently stands as the program's highest single-season average since 1994.
There's been just one season -- the 1998 national championship run -- since in which the Vols have averaged more than 200 yards per game on the ground.
"It has become a source of pride for us," Vols head coach Butch Jones said Monday. "Obviously we're going to be challenged with a defensive football team coming in here that takes pride in stopping the run. This will be our biggest challenge to date.
"I believe it's the best average per game since 1994. That's 21 years. Averaging 214 yards a game, there's a lot that goes into it. Obviously the maturation of the offensive line, it starts with them It's a line-of-scrimmage game (but) it's a total team effort."
As a freshman Thomas, who played center in high school, started five games at right tackle, where he struggled mightily against the speed rushers he faced.
He suffered an ankle injury against Ole Miss that knocked him out of the starting lineup.
It appeared for most of the offseason he would stay at right tackle, but Tennessee moved him to center, his more natural position and the one where he's been effective this season, particularly when he pulls on outside runs.
Coleman Thomas (55) plays center for Tennessee. The South Carolina Gamecocks visited the Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action November 7, 2015."Coleman continues to get better and better and better," Jones said.
"There's been times where his base was widening and he was on the ground too much, and he's really tried to work hard on narrowing his base.
"He works his craft every day, and (has) that want to improve. Our older players have done a very good job of mentoring him and holding him accountable for the standard and the expectation.
"Coleman has really taken great pride in his performance and his week of preparation."
Thomas is the second Tennessee offensive lineman to earn the lineman of the week nod from the SEC.
Kyler Kerbyson was selected for the award after Tennessee ran for 399 yards in the season-opening win against Bowling Green in Nashville.
"They've worked so hard," Jones said of his offensive line. "They work their craft every day. They're in the weight room doing extra. They're in the video room. It's Sunday afternoon and we're already game-planning and they're coming in our room to see the coaches.
"They have a lot of confidence right now and belief in each other. Our running backs believe in them. They believe in our running backs. It's been great to see."
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.