Following Tennessee’s dominant 71-0 win against Kent State, Head Coach Josh Heupel addressed the media and shared his thoughts on the game.
Heupel began by praising the fan support, highlighting the electric atmosphere and enthusiastic turnout. “First of all, our fans were outstanding. The Vol Walk was electric, and the stadium was packed,” he said. Turning to the game, Heupel noted the team’s strong performance, stating, “We started fast, though there are areas we need to improve. Overall, it was a good defensive performance. We controlled the line of scrimmage, got off the field on third downs, and on offense, we were able to run the football effectively and make some big plays. Special teams also had a solid outing.”
When asked about the importance of playing well before conference play, Heupel responded, “Every week has its own identity. While we prefer to play well and maintain consistency in our execution and fundamentals, there were aspects we did well tonight and others we need to address as we continue to develop as a program.”
On freshman wide receiver Mike Matthews, Heupel said, “We had several young players contribute, including Mike, who we’ve trusted since spring ball and early training camp. With him healthy tonight, we were able to utilize our four-wide package effectively. I’m excited about his performance and the contributions of our young players.”
Heupel also praised quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s performance, noting, “I thought he played really well. He used his feet effectively when needed. There were a couple of early miscues, like a drop and a missed RPO, but overall, he made good decisions and played extremely well.”
Reflecting on the defense’s impressive streak of 16 quarters without conceding a touchdown, Heupel commented, “Tim Banks has done an amazing job with the defense. Our players have embraced the fundamentals and technique, and they’re playing hard. The challenge is to maintain this standard regardless of who’s on the field. I’m really proud of how we played in the second half.”
With their record now at 3-0, the Volunteers will face their first SEC challenge next week when they travel to Norman, Oklahoma to take on the Sooners.
