Josh Heupel sets standard for Tennessee's defense amidst TD-less streak
Josh Heupel knows his offense at Tennessee can be a lot of fun. However, he’s not running from the defensive standard that the Vols are aiming for.
On Saturday, Tennessee blasted NC State in blow out fashion, piling up over 450 yards of offense in the 51-10 rout. While the Wolfpack did score a touchdown, that score came on a pick-6 off of Nico Iamaleava.
That means the Vols have not allowed an offensive score in 12 quarters of football, dating back to last season. Tennessee ended the 2023 season with a shutout of Iowa in the bowl game.
Speaking with the media after the game, Heupel said that the standard in Knoxville is to have an elite defense. After all, it’s “the home of Reggie White, Al Wilson, Eric Berry.”
"The standard at Tennessee is to be elite on defense. This is the home of Reggie White, Al Wilson, Eric Berry."
– Josh Heupel, whose defense hasn't allowed a TD in 12 quarters (dating back to 2023)
— Adam Sparks (@AdamSparks) September 8, 2024
To be fair, some of the competition in that stretch has not been on par with Tennessee. Iowa has traditionally produced historically anemic offenses in recent history, and the season-opening win came at the experience of an overmatched Chattanooga program.
However, the Week 2 victory was an impressive one over Dave Doeren’s squad. NC State entered as the No. 24 team in the country, and the Vols held the Wolfpack to 143 total yards of offense and just 3-for-12 on 3rd-down conversions.
Tennessee will put its string of quarters without a touchdown up against Kent State next before turning its attention to SEC play.
It will be 16 quarters after next Saturday. This front 7 might be the best in the SEC. The 2nd teamers are barely a drop if at all. If the D can play like this all season, we can beat anyone.
“This front 7 might be the best in the SEC.”
Reminds me of the hype game commercial, all aboard! Dr. Pepper for everybody, first round on me.
Kirby Dumb isn’t as smart as Saban. Saban saw Tennessee coming and he quit. 12 quarters 131-10.
I’m glad to see some Tennessee fans are having more fun so far this year….. but really, we don’t know how this is going to SEC out. the offenses, defenses, and special teams ALL have to rise to the top of SEC standards to continue their hope to be happy fan makers. I’m seeing improvements in a lot of SEC performances and I’m seeing some backsliding in almost every SEC depth chart per unit as well. In fact the changes are so dramatic and league wide, I would say lots of surprises are coming EVERY week.
All this b s about a great defense is silly. Watching that team from Athens I am a self appointed subject matter expert. My unbiased take: UTVs defense was getting smoked by an undersized less skilled All Cupcake Conference middle of the “pack” the entire first half. The 85 yd pick 6 turned NC St one dimensional and presto…
Right on leghumper, those 3 points nc states offense put up were smokin…. outstanding analysis
People trying to diminish every win/play/scheme on every other UT article tells me we’re trending in the right correction. Contrast this with the Pruitt and Butch era on here, when the comments were pity or nonexistent. Nice to be hated across every major men’s sport. Keep posting the hate-I love it
*direction
Thanks. You are so right.
Curious, what was the score and yardage disparity just prior to the pick 6 that was followed by the fumble, and followed by another fumble?
But that’s ok, nothing looks se xier than a man in checkerboard overalls telling the world they won the natty in week 2…
There’s 4 quarters in a game dude. And nobody said anything about winning a natty. The topic is how well the defense played. Get over yourself.
You know what, vfdon? I agree with what you said. From a four quarter perspective, UTVs defense certainly does look much improved. Nice win by your Vols. Congrats.
Leg telling us for the 503rd post this season how he’s not worried. This is the same broke boomer couldn’t afford to watch his own team or figure out how to stream. Broke, stupid, and posting on rival pages 24/7 is a tough life!
I’ll worry right after the UTV-Bama game…or i won’t. Either way, Kirby won’t.