Josh Heupel makes statement about Vols' defense that will give Tennessee fans chills
Josh Heupel proved on Saturday, via the Tennessee Vols' 20-13 win against the Texas A&M Aggies, that his teams aren't just about offense. Tennessee's offense scored just 13 points (Dee Willams returned a punt for a touchdown) against the Aggies. But the Vols were able to get the win thanks to a huge performance from […]
Josh Heupel proved on Saturday, via the Tennessee Vols' 20-13 win against the Texas A&M Aggies, that his teams aren't just about offense.
Tennessee's offense scored just 13 points (Dee Willams returned a punt for a touchdown) against the Aggies. But the Vols were able to get the win thanks to a huge performance from the defense.
UT held Texas A&M to 277 total yards and came down with two interceptions, including one by Kamal Hadden that essentially ended the game, in what could best be described as an "ugly win".
After the game, Heupel was asked about Tennessee's defense. And the third-year Vols head coach made it clear that the expectation on Rocky Top is to play "elite defense".
"The expectation and the standard is to play elite defense here, not just good defense," said Heupel after Tennessee's win against Texas A&M. "This is the home of Eric Berry, Al Wilson, Reggie White. The standard is to be elite.”
"We're just getting started as to what we will be on that side week in and week out," added Heupel.
(It's appropriate that Heupel mentioned Berry, who was honored at the game on Saturday.)
If that statement doesn't give you chills, I'm not sure what will. Not only does Heupel understand the history and tradition of Tennessee, but he wants to do everything in his power to make sure that the current generation of Vols fans gets to experience the same thing that fans in the 80's, 90's and 2000's experienced — dominant defense and a team that can win in a variety of ways.
Tennessee's win on Saturday wasn't pretty, but it felt like a step forward for a program that was mired in mediocrity for over a decade before Heupel's arrival.
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