Tennessee football: Josh Heupel answers whether the Vols would use the 'Tush Push'
The Tennessee Volunteers have had their struggles converting short yardage situations this season, which were amplified in losses to the Florida Gators and Alabama Crimson Tide. Accordingly, fans and media alike have searched for answers that the team should consider. One media member posed to Josh Heupel at his Monday press conference if he has […]
The Tennessee Volunteers have had their struggles converting short yardage situations this season, which were amplified in losses to the Florida Gators and Alabama Crimson Tide. Accordingly, fans and media alike have searched for answers that the team should consider.
One media member posed to Josh Heupel at his Monday press conference if he has considered utilizing the 'Tush Push' to combat the team's struggles.
Heupel smiled and asked the reporter, "where'd you get that from? I saw you reading that. I'm joking with you."
He continued. "At the end of the day, we've got to find a way to pick up a first down. We've used a lot of different formations. We've been under center. We've been in the gun. We've used it all. So we've got to find a way to pick it up in those two critical situations."
The Philadelphia Eagles have made the Tush Push a staple of their offense the last two years. QB Jalen Hurts takes the ball behind a bunched offense, sneaks forward, and gets pushed from behind by the running back, wide receiver, and/or tight end.
It's been basically unstoppable for Philadelphia since they've implemented it. The Eagles have converted an astounding 41 of 44 third and fourth down attempts using the play going back to the start of the 2022 season. The controversial play has drawn widespread attention and criticism around the NFL, with the league reportedly looking into the play in the offseason. Pushing the ballcarrier forward was made legal in the NFL in 2005 and in college football in 2013.
However, from Heupel's response, it doesn't sound like he's taking the idea of following the defending NFC East champion's lead very seriously.
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