Tennessee (6-0, 3-0 SEC) defeated Alabama (6-1, 3-1 SEC), 52-49, at Neyland Stadium in Week 7.
Following the game, second-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel recapped his team’s performance.
“During the week, I don’t know if I downplayed it, but I certainly did not recognize it,” Heupel said. “I felt it and knew it from the moment that I got here. Tonight was for our players, for our former players, for our donors, it is for our fans. I know how much this has meant to the people of Tennessee and Vol nation, and so excited that we came out with the win, for everybody involved. It was a great night.
“I think it just speaks to the mentality, the growth, and the progress of the individuals inside of our locker room and collectively as a team. Speaks to our coaching staff, Coach (Alex) Golesh, Coach (Tim) Banks, Coach (Mike) Ekeler, our coordinators, and every assistant coach and young coaches, too. The growth inside of our program from the time we got here, the ability to be resilient. It was not pretty in the second half. There were a lot of things that we did not do at the level that we are capable of, but the kids continued to reset and go play and believe, and ultimately find a way when it ticks zero to be on the right side of the scoreboard. Really proud of them and really excited to be able to celebrate with everybody tonight.”
Heupel’s entire postgame recap is listed below from a transcript provided by the University of Tennessee.