Florida fans are trying to create a false narrative about Tennessee HC Josh Heupel
Florida Gators fans are trying hard to create a false narrative about Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel. After Tennessee's 29-16 loss to Florida in Gainesville this past weekend, Florida fans are trying to paint Heupel as "bush league" and a "sore loser", It all stems from the final sequence of the game between Tennessee […]
Florida Gators fans are trying hard to create a false narrative about Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel.
After Tennessee's 29-16 loss to Florida in Gainesville this past weekend, Florida fans are trying to paint Heupel as "bush league" and a "sore loser",
It all stems from the final sequence of the game between Tennessee and Florida.
With 14 seconds left in the game, Gators head coach Billy Napier called timeout on third down (after letting the play clock run to almost 0).
Florida then ran a play to bring up fourth down.
Instead of letting the clock run to zero, Heupel called a timeout which forced Florida to run one more play.
And that's when all hell (briefly) broke loose.
Gators quarterback Graham Mertz took the snap and attempted to run out the clock. Tennessee defensive lineman Omari Thomas ran up to hit Mertz as the quarterback went to take a knee. Thomas tried to miss Mertz, but he still clipped the Florida quarterback with his shoulder.
The hit was late as Mertz was clearly taking a knee. But otherwise, it wasn't like Thomas attempted to hurt Mertz. Thomas tried to pull away at the last second, but he clipped Mertz's shoulder. No one was hurt.
After the game, Heupel was asked about the sequence.
“That sequence right there, we’re trying to get the ball back," explained Heupel. "We’re trying to take a shot to the end zone. I don’t know if we’re going to have time for an onside and maybe get a shot back. But you’re trying to finish and compete the right way. He (Mertz) is dancing around. Do you want the targeting? Obviously, not. But he’s dancing around so you have to go tackle the guy, too. Do we want to be composed in that situation and all situations? Absolutely.”
Florida fans are making way too big of a deal about the way the game ended.
This was an intense rivalry game between two teams full of competitors. It's not always going to be hugs and handshakes at the end of a game.
I'm sure the was plenty of frustration on the Tennessee sideline as the game was ending. Heupel was doing everything he could in those final moments to try to give his team a slim chance at a miracle.
What people don't understand is that coaching a game from the sidelines in a hostile environment is nothing like watching the game on television. Fans are loud, there are no commentators explaining the situation in detail, there is no screen with a clock, the yardage, and replays. Making calls as a head coach in real time on a sideline is a lot different than sitting on a couch watching the action unfold on ESPN.
Combine that with the emotion and it's easy to see why Heupel called a timeout in that situation with the hope that he could give his team a chance.
Now, was there enough time for the Vols to have a chance?
No, probably not.
But when Heupel called that timeout, he might have been thinking that the officials would put 11 or 12 seconds back on the clock. From field level, and without the benefit of multiple replays, it was tough to know exactly what the clock would read. And in the moment, Heupel is just making sure he uses every option he has before leaving the Swamp with a loss.
As far as Thomas hitting Mertz, maybe there was some frustration there. No one but Thomas knows what he's thinking in that situation. But again, that's something that happens very fast in the moment.
Ultimately, Thomas hit Mertz a little late, and Florida's players, rightfully I might add, stood up for their quarterback. And after a short scuffle, order was restored.
For some reason, Florida fans are acting like Heupel sent a third string linebacker onto the field to take out Mertz. When in all actuality, it was just Heupel trying to give his team one last chance to salvage a disappointing night.
That's the only narrative about Heupel that should be out there. The dramatic response from an opposing fan base over a situation that we've seen unfold hundreds of times at the end of games in pro sports has been over the top.
It's rare that you see a fan base complain so much after a win, but Gators fans have managed to find a way to do nothing but complain after their win against Tennessee.
Heupel has nothing to apologize for. Competitors compete. Sometimes it's not the way you draw it up, but that doesn't mean you quit competing before the final whistle blows.
Comment from Vols WR illustrates a big issue that Tennessee’s offense has in 2023
Probably a big reason why Tennessee’s offense has been sluggish
Featured image via Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
