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What Josh Heupel said after notching his first SEC win as Tennessee head coach
By Jake Rill
Published:
Tennessee’s first SEC win of 2021 was a dominating performance. The Vols cruised to a 62-24 win at Missouri, as they never faced any adversity on the road against the Tigers.
It was the first SEC victory for Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel, as the Vols bounced back from last week’s loss at Florida in a big way. Tennessee had a 35-point lead at halftime and finished with 677 total yards of offense.
The Vols are now 3-2, having alternated wins and losses through the first 5 weeks. They’ll go for their first winning streak next week when they return home to face South Carolina.
Here’s some of what Heupel said to the media during his postgame press conference on Saturday:
#Vols coach Josh Heupel on whether getting his first SEC win as a head coach feels different: Not really. I mean, I’m gonna go shower and then get on the plane and probably start watching film.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) October 2, 2021
Heupel says Tennessee's defense played with "suffocating energy and strain to get to the football."
— Ryan Schumpert (@rschump00) October 2, 2021
Josh Heupel on if he was surprised by how easy today's win was: Even when it looks easy, it's not easy in this league.
— Ben McKee (@benmckee14) October 2, 2021
Heupel on Len'Neth Whitehead: "Man, he has great work habits. He's starting to really grow and understand how to play the running back position."
— Ryan Schumpert (@rschump00) October 2, 2021
Heupel adds that a few banged up players could have returned but they decided not to push it.
— Ryan Schumpert (@rschump00) October 2, 2021
Josh Heupel said they will find out more on Jabari Small's status later in the week.
— Kellyanne Stitts (@KellyanneStitts) October 2, 2021
Heupel on the depth heading into the game: “Strength of one position can never be one guy. There were a lot of positives in that aspect of guys stepping up and being ready to play. “
— Ethan Stone (@Ethanstone23) October 2, 2021
Josh Heupel says he told the team they are just scratching the surface of what they can accomplish.
Said the last 48 hours were absolutely their best. #Tennessee
— 99.1 THE Sports Animal (@SportsAnimal991) October 2, 2021
Heupel: The season is filled of one-game seasons. For us its about a one day mentality, a one week approach. Were trying to get as good as we can as fast as we can. From last week to this week, there was a ton of growth.
On bouncing back from the Florida loss
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) October 2, 2021
Heupel: Got a chance to see a handful of guys that were here (at Missouri) when I was here, and enjoyed those moments.
— GoVols247 (@GoVols247) October 2, 2021
Heupel: Christian Charles is going to be a great player here. He got an opportunity today, and early in the game he did a good job at the safety spot.
— GoVols247 (@GoVols247) October 2, 2021
Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.
