Tag: Josh Heupel

Josh Heupel recaps Vols’ win at Vanderbilt

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel recaps the Vols’ Week 14 win at Vanderbilt.

No. 8 Tennessee (10-2, 6-2 SEC) ended its regular-season on Saturday. The Vols defeated Vanderbilt (6-6, 3-5 SEC), 36-23, at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.

Rankings reflect the US LBM Coaches Poll.

Fourth-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel recapped the Vols’ win on Saturday.

“Just proud of our football team,” Heupel said. “All week we talked about finishing the regular-season the right way, and got to be a man to do that, and we prepared the right way, practiced the right way. We sure didn’t start the right way. The competitive composure, belief in the guys around you, just kept fighting and flipped the game there in the second quarter and early third.

“Defensively, I thought we did a great job bottling him (Diego Pavia) up all day long and the run game, and really limited in their pass game until the late drive in the fourth. Offensively, after the turnover early, settled into the ballgame and maximized our opportunities for the most part. Just a good football game. Special teams, some things that we can do better, but again, you just look at the work these guys have put in, proud of them to go finish and play the way that they did here. It’s a good team that we just got done playing. Look at their scores against some of the best teams in America and realize that. Great way to finish the season. Really proud of our guys.”

PHOTOS: Tennessee football defeats Vanderbilt in Week 14

Dylan Sampson. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

USC loses two commits to SEC schools

USC has successfully flipped some offensive linemen from other schools, but the Trojans have not been able to retain other prospects who flipped elsewhere.

Earlier this week, another unfortunate series of events emerged for USC football recruiting. On Monday, USC saw two of its commits in the 2025 class flip their pledges to SEC schools. First, four-star linebacker Ty Jackson spurned the Trojans in favor of Florida.

A native of Loxahatchee, Florida, Jackson is currently the No. 135 overall player in the class of 2025 On3 Consensus rankings. He is also the No. 15 linebacker, and the No. 20 player in the state of Florida.

Next, three-star linebacker Duane Morris changed his commitment from USC to Tennessee.

Hailing from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, On3 Consensus ranks Morris as the No. 524 player in the 2025 class. It also has him as the No. 43 running back and the No. 18 player in the state of Tennessee.

Following the loss of Jackson and Morris, USC’s 2025 recruiting class sits at No. 14 in the On3 team rankings. Three Big Ten schools are currently ahead of the Trojans: Ohio State at No. 3, Oregon at No. 7, and Michigan at No. 8.

College football’s early signing day is December 4, which is just one week away.

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Updated chances to make College Football Playoff after Week 13

A look at updated odds for teams to make the College Football Playoff with one week remaining in the regular-season.

One week is left in the 2024 college football regular season. Tennessee (9-2, 5-2 SEC) is in position to make the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.

The Vols will end regular-season play at Vanderbilt in Week 14.

“The better you play, the more you win,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said about playing at Vanderbilt. “The bigger the games get, it doesn’t matter. For us, this is the next step in our dream. Laser focused on how we prepare, how we practice, and get ready to go play well in all three phases in this one.”

Ahead of the final week in the regular-season, ESPN’s Football Power Index released updated percentage chances to make the College Football Playoff.

Percentage chances to make College Football Playoff after Week 13 (ESPN FPI)

  • Oregon 99.8
  • Ohio State 99.5
  • Penn State 98.9
  • Texas 97.9
  • Indiana 97.7
  • Georgia 90.6
  • Notre Dame 90.1
  • Miami 79.6
  • Tennessee 76.3
  • Boise State 68.0
  • SMU 62.5
  • Alabama 37.4

READ: 2024 SEC football power rankings after Week 13

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Josh Heupel recaps senior day win against UTEP

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel discusses the Vols’ senior day and Salute to Service game against UTEP.

No. 11 Tennessee (9-2, 5-2 SEC) held its annual senior day and Salute to Service game on Saturday. The Vols defeated UTEP (2-9, 2-5 C-USA), 56-0, at Neyland Stadium.

Saturday was also the Vols’ final regular-season home game.

Fourth-year head coach Josh Heupel recapped Tennessee’s senior day and Salute to Service game.

“Great day to honor our men and women that serve in our military,” Heupel said. “Awesome to recognize them. Had a couple of them walk with me, but so many of them on the field today. I thank them for everything they do.

“Awesome to recognize our senior class. These guys have meant so much to this program. When I first got here, kind of resetting this program, building this program, what it looks like to be a Vol and what it means to be in the building and have done an unbelievable job of helping us grow, and couldn’t have done it without them. Great leaders, great players, most of all great men, and it’s just a great group.”

Tennessee will conclude regular-season play at Vanderbilt in Week 14.

PHOTOS: Tennessee football shuts out UTEP on senior day

Eli Purcell. Tennessee Volunteers football versus UTEP Miners at Neyland Stadium on November 23, 2024. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Tennessee announces uniform combination for Salute to Service football game

Vols announce uniform combination for Salute to Service game versus UTEP.

No. 11 Tennessee (8-2, 5-2 SEC) will host UTEP (2-8, 2-5 C-USA) on Saturday in Week 13. Kickoff between the Vols and Miners is slated for 1 p.m. EST at Neyland Stadium (SEC Network+).

Rankings reflect the US LBM Coaches Poll.

Saturday’s contest will also mark Tennessee’s Salute to Service game and senior day.

Tennessee announced its uniform combination against UTEP. The Vols will wear white helmets, orange jerseys and white pants on Saturday.

“This week is our Salute to Service game honoring all the men and women that are serving and have served,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said. “It will be great to honor them and the sacrifices that they make, their families make. We appreciate everything that they do.”

READ: Updated SEC football power rankings entering Week 13

Josh Heupel kicks off UTEP game week

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel discusses the Vols playing UTEP for the Salute to Service game.

No. 11 Tennessee (8-2, 5-2 SEC) will play its final regular-season home game on Saturday in Week 13. Rankings reflect the US LBM Coaches Poll.

The Vols will host UTEP (2-8, 2-5 C-USA) at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff between the Vols and Miners is slated for 1 p.m. EST and can be watched on SEC Network+.

Fourth-year head coach Josh Heupel kicked off game week on Monday.

“This week is our Salute to Service game honoring all the men and women that are serving and have served,” Heupel said. “It will be great to honor them and the sacrifices that they make, their families make. We appreciate everything that they do. It’s also senior day. You look at this group of seniors, so many guys that when I first got here, chose to stay here and have been cornerstones in building this program. A lot of guys that have played a lot of great football for us. Great leaders, but great individuals too, so it will be a special day to recognize them.

“Moving on, we’ve got UTEP this week. Opportunity for us to grow as a football team, continue to get better and the next step forward for us.”

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

What Tennessee’s Josh Heupel said about Georgia

What Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel said about playing the Georgia Bulldogs and quarterback Carson Beck

Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel has helped turn around the Volunteers’ football program. Heupel is 35-13 including 19-11 over three-plus seasons as Tennessee’s head coach, but he still has not beat the Georgia Bulldogs and is 0-3 against Kirby Smart.

“Getting ready to go play a great opponent. You look at them really in every phase of the football game – extremely talented, coached extremely well,” said Heupel on Georgia. “They play hard. They play fundamentally sound. They make you earn it in every way, and one that will be a great, great environment and a great opportunity for everybody inside of this program.”

No. 7 Tennessee leads the SEC standings right now with a 8-1 record including 5-1 in SEC games. No. 12 Georgia is looking to stay alive in the SEC championship race with a win over Tennessee. The Bulldogs are 7-2 and 5-2 in conference play.

“He’s an extremely talented quarterback,” said Heupel on Georgia quarterback Carson Beck. “Playing quarterback, man, sometimes what people see isn’t just the quarterback play. It takes all 11 playing together. He’s a really good football player.”

Georgia’s offensive unit needs to play better if the Bulldogs are going to win against a talented Tennessee defense that allows the fifth-fewest points and yards per game.

“More prepared,” said Heupel when comparing the 2022 edition of Georgia-Tennessee to the 2024 version. “We’ve been in all of our systems longer. This football game is different than the last one. Still facing a great opponent.”

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Georgia ended up winning the national championship after taking down No. 1 Tennessee in Athens during the 2022 season.

“You’ve got to do a great job in protection, but it starts with having the ability to run the football, too,” said Heupel on facing the UGA defense. “If you’re one-dimensional, they’re going to make it real tough on you all night long.”

“You put on the tape of Georgia’s defense and their front looks like a Georgia front always looks like,” continued Heupel. “They move like they always move. Their linebackers are athletic, big, physical and they got elite athletes on the back end. What you see on the video is a typical Georgia defense.”

Georgia hosts Tennessee at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 16.

Tennessee releases depth chart ahead of Georgia game

Tennessee football releases depth chart ahead of playing at Georgia in Week 12.

No. 10 Georgia (7-2, 5-2 SEC) will host No. 4 Tennessee (8-1, 5-1 SEC) on Saturday in Week 12. Rankings reflect the US LBM Coaches Poll.

Kickoff between the Vols and Bulldogs is slated for 7:30 p.m. EST. ABC will televise the Southeastern Conference matchup. Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst), Holly Rowe (reporter) and Laura Rutledge (reporter) will be on the call.

“Obviously, we’re getting ready to go play a great opponent,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said of playing Georgia. “You look at them, in really every phase of the football game, extremely talented and coached extremely well. They play hard. They play fundamentally sound. They make you earn it in every way, and one that will be a great environment and a great opportunity for everybody inside of this program.”

READ: SEC football power rankings after Week 11

Below is Tennessee’s projected Week 12 depth chart against Georgia.

Josh Heupel provides update on Nico Iamaleava ahead of Georgia game

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel provides update on quarterback Nico Iamaleava ahead of playing at Georgia.

No. 4 Tennessee (8-1, 5-1 SEC) will play a top 10 matchup on the road in Week 12. No. 10 Georgia (7-2, 5-2 SEC) will host the Vols on Saturday. Rankings reflect the US LBM Coaches Poll.

Kickoff between the Vols and Bulldogs is slated for 7:30 p.m. EST at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. ABC will televise the SEC contest.

Tennessee redshirt freshman starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava did not play in the second half due to injury versus Mississippi State in Week 11. Fourth-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel discussed Iamaleava’s status on Monday for the Georgia game.

“He was with us today,” Heupel said. “Had a really good day. Feel like he’ll be in great shape for Saturday, but you guys can monitor the report that comes out on Wednesday, and track it through the week, but certainly feel like he’ll be in a good spot.”

The SEC availability report for student-athletes will be released on Wednesday for Week 12 games.

READ: SEC football power rankings after Week 11

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Josh Heupel recaps homecoming win versus Mississippi State

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel discusses the Vols’ win against Mississippi State in Week 11.

No. 6 Tennessee (8-1, 5-1 SEC) remains in contention for the SEC championship game and the College Football Playoff after a Week 11 win versus Mississippi State (2-8, 0-6 SEC).

Tennessee defeated the Bulldogs, 33-14, at Neyland Stadium.

The Vols totaled 452 yards (212 passing, 240 rushing), while holding Mississippi State to 271 yards (179 rushing, 92 passing).

The Bulldogs committed two turnovers and Tennessee lost one fumble.

Fourth-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel met with media and recapped the Vols’ win in Week 11.

“Another SEC win, a good win, proud of the way the guys played for four quarters,” Heupel said. “Played hard, played physical, obviously offensively, some things early in the football game that had an opportunity to change the way the game is played. Just not an efficient second or third down. There are little things that they did in the fourth down that we don’t end up converting on, but all in all, a really good night. I’m proud of the way some of the guys responded. Gaston Moore, the way he played, the running backs getting an opportunity to play really well. Defensively, a couple of runs, but all in all great night. I thought they were really good on third downs again.”

Saturday also marked the 100th homecoming game for Tennessee in program history.

READ: SEC football power rankings after Week 11

Josh Heupel. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire