Watch: Tennessee players were unimpressed by Clemson's 'top notch' defense
Several Tennessee Vols players appeared to be unimpressed by the Clemson Tigers' "top notch defense" on Friday night. Clemson limited Tennessee to 31 points — the Vols' fewest in a win under Josh Heupel — but UT scored enough to win by 17 points. After the game, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel was asked if […]
Several Tennessee Vols players appeared to be unimpressed by the Clemson Tigers' "top notch defense" on Friday night.
Clemson limited Tennessee to 31 points — the Vols' fewest in a win under Josh Heupel — but UT scored enough to win by 17 points.
After the game, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel was asked if the Vols' defense was overlooked this week because of the Tigers' defensive reputation.
A couple of Tennessee players — quarterback Joe Milton, wide receiver Squirrel White, and linebacker Aaron Beasley — had to hold back some laughter when the reporter said "top notch defense".
Here's the clip:
Tennessee held Clemson without a touchdown in the first half on Friday night. It was only the second time this season that Clemson hasn't scored a touchdown in the first half (Clemson's loss to Notre Dame was the other instance).
The Vols' defense has had its issues at times this season — especially in that South Carolina game — but they were downright dominant at other times. Tennessee held Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and Clemson to a combined 20 points this season.
Tennessee's defensive front, specifically, was impressive against Clemson. The Vols were able to get consistent pressure on Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik, forcing him into some bad decisions. Several of those decisions resulted in interceptions.
UT finished the season with the No. 35 scoring defense in the nation (they finished with the No. 90 scoring defense in 2021). So while Tennessee has plenty of room for improvement, the narrative that they're a bad defensive team simply isn't accurate.
I can't blame Tennessee's players for having a laugh at the fact that Clemson's "top notch defense" didn't perform as well as the Vols' much criticized defense.
Featured image via Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
