Josh Heupel met with Mike Keith to preview Saturday night’s home matchup with Kennesaw State. The Vols rushed for 299 yards at Georgia Tech, and Heupel touched on the offensive line’s growth, David Sanders settling in at left tackle and the emergence of Daune Morris and Radarius Jackson.
He also praised a defensive line that has generated most of the team’s pressure early, and he made clear he wants a cleaner, smarter performance against a Kennesaw State team that won 12 of its last 14 games. Here is everything Heupel had to say.
On the offensive line’s play at Georgia Tech and its work this week:
Yeah, in general, pleased with the majority of what we’ve done. You rushed for 300 yards, you don’t take that for granted. And that’s not just the offensive line. Tight ends are a huge part of that success too. And obviously the running backs doing a great job with the ball in their hands. There’s some things that we can still be better at, you know, a couple of communication things, you know, some of our double teams combinations working together, but all in all, feel good about what we’ve done, but want to see a lot of growth here early in the year. We should take another big step this Saturday.
On David Sanders’ comfort level at left tackle:
Yeah, really natural. A majority of his career he’s played at left, dating back to high school. Obviously, last year was at right, but extremely comfortable and has done a really good job.
On Daune Morris and the head coach’s confidence in him:
A lot, but it starts with who he is, just his mental approach every single day, the consistency that he’s had walking into the building. And really proud of the growth of the person. That parlays itself into growth of the football player. Much deeper understanding of our run schemes, of pass protections, assignment sound. Wednesday, he’s coaching hub guys on the offensive field. You can hear his voice in the background when he’s not getting a rep. He’s just way more attentive and understanding of the details.
On gaining confidence in sophomore receiver Radarius Jackson:
Yeah, continuing to gain confidence in him, although we had great trust and confidence in him to begin with. He’s getting better as a young football player every snap that he gets out there. He’s done a great job here early part of the season. A young guy last year that was really coming on gets hurt in the Georgia game, misses five, six weeks, has continued to grow from that point.
On the defensive line generating most of the pressure and sacks:
I think early on they’ve played to the level that we expected from them. They’re playing violent and they’re playing disruptive. Some of our young guys, Marion Dye is an example, has continued to take really good steps here the early part of the season. Going to need the depth there as you go through the year. We want to see our young guys take another big step here this week.
On Kennesaw State, who started 0-2 last year before winning their conference:
Yeah, you’re starting over every January, truly, and good teams continue to get better throughout the course of the year. That’s a challenge for us, controlling the controllables, and I want to see us take a step. They’re a team in a program that’s won, I think, 12 out of their last 14 games. It’s a good football team. We need to show up with the competitive spirit that you need to have to go win on a Saturday. We need to play smart football here this Saturday night.
On Kennesaw and head coach Jerry Mack prioritizing speed at nearly every position:
Yeah, their wide receivers are electric. They can push the ball vertically down the field. Their quarterback is truly a dual threat. He’s growing in the understanding of their pass game here the first couple of weeks. But when he tucks the football and design quarterback run or scrambles, he’s dangerous out on the perimeter.
On where Tennessee needs to improve from week two to week three:
First thing is not hurting ourselves, foolish penalties. I want to see us play clean, play smart. And then assignment and communication. Defensively, we have to be able to handle their tempo, get a line, get our cleats in the ground. Offensively, recognize structures and play all 11 together.
On the crowd noise for the defense at Neyland Stadium:
Great home schedule, and I know our fans are going to show up in a great way. We want them to be loud Saturday night here and be a part of this football game for sure. Looking forward to it. Thanks, Coach.
