Tennessee defensive back Qua Moss has been named the Shriners Bowl Defensive Player of the Week. A honor that follows a career-best performance in the Volunteers’ 34-6 victory over Kentucky on Saturday night at Neyland Stadium.
Moss finished with a career-high nine tackles, six solo stops, one sack, a pass breakup, and two forced fumbles. Efforts that helped Tennessee hold the Wildcats without a touchdown and secure its second consecutive home victory over a top-10 opponent.
The two forced fumbles were Moss’ first as a Volunteer and made him just the fourth Tennessee player since 2019 to force multiple fumbles in a single game.
But it wasn’t simply his ability to create turnovers that stood out. Moss showcased the versatility that has made him one of the most valuable additions to defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ unit.
In the third quarter, Moss broke up a potential explosive completion on a deep pass over the middle of the field. Two plays later, he came off the edge and stripped Kentucky quarterback Kenny Minchey, with freshman defensive lineman Mariyon Dye recovering the fumble.
Moss also forced an earlier fumble that was recovered by defensive back Kayin Lee, accounting for two of Tennessee’s three takeaways.
Following the victory, Tennessee coach Josh Heupel emphasized Moss’ ability to impact the game in multiple ways.
“That position in the middle of the football field, to be able to cover the way that you need to, when you’re in the slot defending that, you got to defend the entire field and he does an elite job in coverage,” Heupel said.
Heupel also highlighted Moss’ physicality and the standard he sets for Tennessee’s secondary.
“He tackles extremely well. He takes pride in it, and he gets on the rest of our DBs when we’re not tackling well,” Heupel said. “So just an elite competitor.”
That competitiveness has not gone unnoticed by his teammates.
Senior linebacker Arion Carter, who recorded 13 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks against Kentucky, praised the impact Moss has made since joining the program.
“It’s super impressive just seeing him fly around, him being a new addition to our defense and seeing how well he’s complemented our defense and just been able to go in and make impact plays, havoc plays as we call them,” Carter said.
Carter also pointed to Moss’ approach as a teammate.
“It’s just great to see him all over the field. A guy like that who’s so selfless, plays relentlessly is all about his teammates and just goes out there and gives it all for Tennessee. It’s great to see him go put up the stats that he does.”
Moss’ performance was particularly significant against a Kentucky offense that entered Saturday having committed just five turnovers through eight games. Tennessee forced three in one night, while the Wildcats finished with 361 total yards but managed only two field goals.
The national recognition adds to a season in which Moss has emerged as a versatile playmaker in Tennessee’s secondary, contributing in coverage, run support, pass rushing and special teams.
With the Vols now ranked ninth in the Associated Press Top 25 and preparing for Saturday’s road matchup against Texas A&M, Moss’ ability to create turnovers and disrupt opposing offenses remains an important part of Tennessee’s defensive identity.
