Josh Heupel sends message to true freshman after tough mistake during Vols' win against UTSA
Tennessee Vols true freshman running back Cam Seldon had a tough moment on Saturday during UT's 45-14 win against UTSA. After going up 14-0 early in the first quarter, Tennessee forced a quick three-and-out from UTSA. The Vols were set to receive the ball with great field position after a short punt. But Seldon made […]
Tennessee Vols true freshman running back Cam Seldon had a tough moment on Saturday during UT's 45-14 win against UTSA.
After going up 14-0 early in the first quarter, Tennessee forced a quick three-and-out from UTSA.
The Vols were set to receive the ball with great field position after a short punt. But Seldon made a freshman mistake and tried to fall on the ball which allowed UTSA to recover the ball and receive a fresh set of downs near midfield.
UTSA wasn't able to turn the opportunity into points — the Roadrunners turned the ball over on downs after failing to convert a fourth down attempt — but Tennessee's momentum was still slowed. The Vols' next drive ended with a missed field goal before Tennessee eventually scored again to push the score to 21-0.
After the game, Vols head coach Josh Heupel was asked about Seldon's mistake. Heupel made it clear that the mistake can't happen while also expressing confidence in the true freshman.
“It’s a teaching moment that we don't want to have," said Heupel. "We go through a lot of scenarios and situations. And, obviously, a young guy just made a mistake. Hate that for him. He is playing with great effort, continuing to grow, and I believe he’s going to be a really good player for us. But I hate that. It changed the momentum in the first quarter. You look at where the ball’s going to be. I think it was 14-0 at that point and got a chance to push it to 21-0 there early in the first quarter. Just a couple of unique things that transpire that change the way the game’s played. And you can't do that as a football team."
Some of the best lessons are learned by making a mistake. Fortunately for Seldon and the Vols, the mistake against UTSA proved to be inconsequential. And I'm betting that Seldon will never make that mistake again.
Mistakes aren't always a bad thing — especially when they come in a win. It's certainly better for that mistake to happen in a win against UTSA as opposed to it happening next weekend against South Carolina during a critical moment.
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