Josh Heupel says bowl eligibility means momentum for Vols: ‘They care about the power T’
By Keith Farner
Published:
Josh Heupel and Tennessee are bowl eligible in his first season following a rout of South Alabama.
The Vols improved to 6-5 on the season.
Hendon Hooker only threw 3 incompletions, as he finished 17-20 for 273 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Velus Jones Jr. led the Vols with 103 yards and a 96-yard kickoff return for TD. Cedric Tillman had another 100-yard outing.
Here’s a sampling of Heupel’s comments to the media:
Josh Heupel on the importance of going bowling: “Important, for sure. I don’t think there’s anybody in our program that was focused on that part of it. It was truly on South Alabama. It’s big for us because it continues to build the momentum we’ve had here.”
— Jake Nichols (@jnichols_2121) November 21, 2021
#Vols HC Josh Heupel: The challenge for our football season is to finish. Our guys continue to compete at a really high level.
— Ethan Stone (@Ethanstone23) November 21, 2021
Josh Heupel on Velus Jones Jr.:
Dynamic as a returner. He has a great understanding and feels all of the traffic. He’s got a great feel for al the movement of bodies, it’s a special gift. #Vols
— Kellyanne Stitts (@KellyanneStitts) November 21, 2021
#Vols head coach Josh Heupel: Kids answered my question of who we’re going to be. They prepared well and played hard, assignment sound, took care of business.
— Ben McKee (@benmckee14) November 21, 2021
Heupel said Jaylen Wright may have played “his best football game tonight,” in some ways.
Said he thought he and Whitehead did well.
— Jake Nichols (@jnichols_2121) November 21, 2021
Josh Heupel on seniors who have stuck around: “They’ve been instrumental in communicating. Once we set the standard, what they’d been through and where we wanted to go, they’ve been exceptional leaders. They care about the Power T and their teammates. Really special group.”
— Jake Nichols (@jnichols_2121) November 21, 2021
Josh Heupel:
“I think Jabari (Small) is just continuing to get better at the running back position.”
— Ryan Sylvia (@RyanSylvia5) November 21, 2021
Josh Heupel said ‘nothing in particular’ went into starting Solon Page over Jeremy Banks at linebacker tonight.
Banks didn’t play the entire first quarter but was out there snap No. 1 of the second.
— Eric Cain (@_Cainer) November 21, 2021
Josh Heupel said #Vols center Cooper Mays could have come back in the game and they’ll see about RT Cade Mays as the week goes on.
Cade’s left ankle/foot was in a boot following the game.
— Ben McKee (@benmckee14) November 21, 2021
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
