Heupel grateful for Vols’ ‘additional’ effort in OU return

• Chris Low, ESPN Elder WriterSep 22, 2024, 02:48 AM ET

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  • College football reporter
  • Joined ESPN.com in 2007
  • Graduate of the University of Tennessee

NORMAN, Okla.– The feeling in his voice and on his face said it all for Tennessee coach Josh Heupel late Saturday night in his much anticipated return to his alma mater.Heupel, who 10

years previously was stung by his shooting as Oklahoma’s offending planner, stated repeatedly that the No. 6 Volunteers’ 25-15 win over the No. 15 Sooners was “never about me” in a game that saw Tennessee construct a 22-3 lead going into the fourth quarter and dominate defensively the whole way.When it was over– with relative, players, previous Oklahoma colleagues and coaches accepting him before he left the field– the typically stoic Heupel was plainly moved as Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava presented him with the game ball on the field.

“This game was never about me coming back here, not for this football group,” Heupel said in his postgame news conference. “I state all that, but they likewise understood that this one was a bit various for me personally too. That’s not what it had to do with, but I do value their recognition.”

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He was a lot more emotional in the locker space and had to stop briefly a number of times while talking to his players.

“I appreciate you all having a little extra for me,” Heupel stated, having a hard time to discover the best words as the players clapped and cheered. “I enjoy you guys. I truly mean that. I’m proud of you. I’m proud of how you’ve grown. Our finest is still out in front people.”

Asked where the game ball would go, Heupel stated, “It will enter the office for sure.”

Tennessee (4-0) entered the game as the country’s highest-scoring offense. While the Volunteers handled just two basket after halftime against a stout Oklahoma defense, it’s Tennessee’s defense that makes this Heupel’s most complete team considering that he showed up in Knoxville in 2021. The Volunteers’ defense ended up with 10 deals with for loss, forced two turnovers on the extremely next play after Iamaleava lost fumbles in his own territory and held the Sooners to minus-4 lawns in the 2nd and 3rd quarters.Tennessee’s defense

had actually gone 19 straight quarters without allowing a goal up until Oklahoma scored its two goals in the fourth quarter, the last one with 1:01 to play. The Sooners benched starting quarterback Jackson Arnold in the 2nd quarter and went with Michael Hawkins Jr. the remainder of the game.Heupel acknowledged that the Volunteers called the game on offense a little differently and more conservatively in the 2nd half after seeing the way his defense managed the line of scrimmage. In addition, Tennessee played with backup offensive tackles for much of the game, and he wished to be careful not to put Iamaleava into a lot of precarious situations. Iamaleava finished with 194 passing lawns and a 66-yard goal pass to Dont ‘e Thornton Jr. in the first quarter. Iamaleava was likewise sacked three times.”At the end of the day, if you want to play actually high-level football, you’re going to need to have a high-level defense, and our guys are playing truly well, “Heupel said.”They’re thrilled about the method they’re playing, but they also know that there’s more out there, and it’s been enjoyable seeing this group continue to grow.”The depth and talent on Tennessee’s defensive line is the best it has remained in twenty years, which depth endured an Oklahoma offense that managed simply 36

rushing lawns and was 3-of-15 on 3rd down.”Seeing our offense rating, truthfully, is simply another chance for the defense to come out there and play, “said junior defensive lineman Joshua Josephs, who had a deal with for loss and required 2 fumbles.” It’s just energizing. We love it. We like to be on the field. We love to play, and as a D-line, we have actually got a lot depth that we can simply turn and turn, and it’s just enjoyable seeing our guys make plays. It’s fun seeing Jaxson Moi make plays. It’s fun seeing Jayson Jenkins make plays. It’s just fun seeing this. “At one point, Oklahoma went six straight offensive possessions with three or fewer plays. In the very first half, the Sooners went 10 straight plays without gaining a lawn.”In this league, you’ve got to have the ability to win different methods as the season unfolds,

“Heupel said.” Each game is different, each challenger, matches, all of that. We need to be the most physical football group on the field every Saturday. That is among the cornerstone

blocks of being able to go win.”For Oklahoma( 3-1 ), it was a frustrating SEC debut in front of a sellout crowd of 84,701 at Oklahoma Memorial Arena, where Heupel starred as a player and quarterbacked the Sooners to a championship game in 2000.”Josh is an excellent coach,” said coach Brent Venables

, who was Oklahoma’s co-defensive organizer in 2000 when Heupel was playing. “He’s been successful any place he’s been, and I don’t think that’s ever remained in question. I take pride in all the success that he’s had.

It’s not one of those moments where you more than happy for him since you’re not, but that simply type of features the area. … They’re going to win a lot of games.”It was Tennessee’s very first win over an AP top-15 group on the roadway because beating Georgia in 2006. Heupel’s daddy, Ken, still lives in nearby Edmond, Oklahoma, and was at the game along with many other relative. Heupel’s mother, Cindy, died earlier this year. “She was here, enjoying down from heaven,”

Heupel said after the game.Before Heupel finished his press conference, he thanked all his former colleagues who reached out to him throughout the week.” A lot of you, I didn’t return to. I will on the airplane ride back, however you guys have altered my life and my household’s life permanently, and I’m permanently grateful for all of you, “said Heupel, again turning emotional and his eyes dampening. “There are a great deal of previous players also that I must discuss.”He then included:”The second thing is I have actually gotten a chance to satisfy a

lot of the people that had an impact on my mom while she was here, and I simply want to say thank you for the relationships and what you suggested to her.”