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What Josh Heupel said from the podium following Tennessee’s win over USC
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Josh Heupel met with media following Tennessee’s much-needed 41-20 win over South Carolina Saturday night.
The Vols head coach, as always, held some high praise for Tennessee fans who packed Neyland Stadium to capacity. He started off his press conference thanking the fans and insisting that the Vols needed their energy and passion:
Josh Heupel on Tennessee’s crowd: They needed to be a part of this football game and they were… All night long, man, they were relentless in their energy… We need them the rest of the way when we’re at home.
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) October 1, 2023
A big reason Tennessee was able to have so much success offensively Saturday was because of the Vols’ dominance at the line of scrimmage. Starter Cooper Mays returned from injury against South Carolina, a major boon to a Vols OL that has struggled so far this year.
Here’s what Heupel had to say regarding Mays’ return:
Josh Heupel on Cooper Mays: Coop being back this week was absolutely critical for us to be our best… His experience, his athleticism, his ability to communicate at a high level – all positives for us to play our best.
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) October 1, 2023
One of the most impressive players on the other side of the ball was James Pearce, who finished with 2 sacks and many more pressures and little plays that won’t show up on the main stat sheet.
Heupel essentially echoed that exact sentiment Saturday night:
#Vols coach Josh Heupel on sophomore edge James Pearce Jr.: I haven’t seen the stats, but every time I looked up he was affecting the quarterback, affecting the game.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) October 1, 2023
Unfortunately for Tennessee, it wasn’t all good Saturday night. The Vols lost their most physical receiver against the Gamecocks and though nothing has been confirmed, Bru McCoy is likely to miss significant time for the Vols after turning his ankle the wrong way in the first half.
Heupel told reporters that they’ll know more concerning McCoy next week:
#Vols coach Josh Heupel: I hate what happened to Bru. We’ll know more next week, but obviously it didn’t look good. Hate that it happened. They don’t come any better than him.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) October 1, 2023
Here’s more from Heupel’s postgame press conference.
Josh Heupel on Hendon Hooker in attendance: One of the best to play here. Cares about his teammates still – Joe to everyone else in that locker room. I think it speaks to his love for this University and this program.
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) October 1, 2023
#Vols coach Josh Heupel: I think everybody took last year’s game personally. As a program and our fans.
— Ben McKee (@benmckee14) October 1, 2023
Josh Heupel: We’re a football team that needs to get healthy. This bye week is coming at the right time.
— Ben McKee (@benmckee14) October 1, 2023
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
