Kent State HC Kenni Burns reveals what Tennessee Vols HC Josh Heupel said to him during post-game handshake
The Tennessee Vols led Kent State 65-0 at halftime on their way to a 71-0 win in front of a packed house in Neyland Stadium on Saturday night. At halftime, Tennessee offered to shorten the game via either a running clock or shortened quarters. Kent State head coach Kenni Burns declined. “Because that’s not who […]
The Tennessee Vols led Kent State 65-0 at halftime on their way to a 71-0 win in front of a packed house in Neyland Stadium on Saturday night.
At halftime, Tennessee offered to shorten the game via either a running clock or shortened quarters.
Kent State head coach Kenni Burns declined.
“Because that’s not who we are," said Burns when asked why he didn't agree to a running clock. "That’s not who we are as a football team. That’s not who we are as a culture. There are a lot of teams that lost today. In lump sums, they’re not getting running clocks. A football game is a football game. I talked to our captains about it, and they said absolutely not. I said absolutely not. It’s just not who we are at all as a program, as a football program. No way."
Kent State allowed just six points in the second half (after Tennessee emptied the bench).
Vols head coach Josh Heupel told Burns after the game that his team's fight in the second half was impressive.
"I think the second half you saw their response to it," added Burns. "They came back, they fought a little bit. And that's what their coach (Heupel) said to us at the end of the game — that the fight in the second half was impressive.”
It was a tough night for Kent State, and it looks like it's going to be a tough season for the 0-3 Golden Flashes in general. But you gotta give credit to Burns and his team. They kept competing in the second half despite having no chance to win the game. And Heupel obviously recognized that and rightfully showed Burns some respect after the game for the way Kent State played in the second half.
