The reason behind Josh Heupel’s odd late-game QB decision in Tennessee vs. New Mexico State
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel made an odd quarterback decision late in the game against New Mexico State.
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel made what appeared to be an odd quarterback decision in the fourth quarter of UT’s game against the New Mexico State Aggies on Saturday evening.
While leading 42-3, Tennessee took possession on its own five-yard line with around 12 minutes to go in the game.
Starting quarterback Joey Aguilar completed a seven-yard pass on the first play of the drive and then immediately exited the game. Redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger then came into the game.
Some folks wondered why Aguilar even started the drive if he was going to leave after just one play.
There’s a good reason, though, for the seemingly odd decision.
Aguilar’s seven-yard pass put him over 200 passing yards for the game. The California native has now topped 200 passing yards in 34 straight games (every start of his FBS career).
Good on Heupel and the Tennessee staff for not losing track of Aguilar’s yardage and making sure he went over 200 yards.
Aguilar finished the day with 204 passing yards, one passing touchdown, two interceptions, 34 rushing yards, and a rushing touchdown.
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