Tennessee coach Josh Heupel joined the Mike Keith Show on Monday to close the book on a 42-9 win over Kennesaw State and turn the page to the biggest game on the schedule so far. The No. 14 Vols open SEC play Saturday against No. 1 Texas, a noon kickoff at Neyland Stadium that brings the two programs together on campus for the first time.
Heupel broke down Arion Carter’s three-play burst to open the second half, Daune Morris’s 42-yard touchdown run and the growth he wants to see from a defense about to face its stiffest test. Here is the full conversation.
Arion Carter’s opening second half drive vs. Kennesaw State, an example of what he can be in this defense?
“We want that three-play set from him every series of every game. It’s a great example of his versatility, being able to make plays in space, affect the quarterback. I thought Arion played a really good football game. He took a step from his first action in Week 2 to this week, and it was great to see.”
Is Qua Moss getting comfortable as your punt returner?
“Qua’s really comfortable back there right now. He’s got great trust in what he’s doing. His communication has been really solid back there. We’re still growing. We’re close to doing some really good things on that punt return unit. Just got to get all 11 operating together.”
On Daune Morris’s 42-yard touchdown run, what did you like best on the tape?
“First of all, it starts up front. Right guard, right tackle do a great job sealing it up. Tight end out on the overhang. And DaSaahn Brame from the backside cleaned things up. And Doodle did an unbelievable job pressing it. But when he saw space, he got to it and finished that thing in a great way.”
The first nine plays of the second half were complementary football across all three phases. Is that how you drew it up at halftime?
“Exactly. I wish it always went the way you drew it up. But we talked about starting fast. Knew defense was going to be up, special teams playing smart, solid football, playing with eye discipline, and then offensively a couple things we adjusted and were able to get into the end zone.”
Did you intentionally try to get the ball to Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley more on Saturday?
“Not intentionally. Sometimes coverage just dictates where the ball goes. I thought those guys played at a really high level, and obviously were able to put up some points.”
Were you pleased with your tight ends?
“That group continues to get better. Everybody that stepped on the field played at a really high level. They were really good in the run game, good in pass protection for a majority of the night, and did a good job on the route concepts.”
Without Daevin Hobbs and Nathan Robinson on the defensive line, who stepped up?
“Not just one guy. I thought Ethan stepped up and played one of his better football games on the interior. Mariyon Dye continues to grow and get better off the edge. So a lot of growth from a lot of guys. Isaiah Campbell got a bunch of work coming off injury. He was on a pitch count the week before and got a little more action this week, took another step.”
What are you starting to see from Jordan Norman in your system?
“Just extremely talented, a guy that’s grown fundamentally. He’s had the ability to impact the quarterback. He’s done a really good job applying pressure the early part of the year.”
Three games in, where are you most pleased with the defensive progress?
“At the end of the day, keeping people out of the end zone. We gave up nine points a Saturday ago, but good red zone defense. We’ve been able to limit yards per carry. We’ve played tight coverage on the outside. This will be our biggest test coming into Saturday, but I’m proud of the growth. We need to take another jump this week.”
Looking at Texas overall, what stands out right away?
“One, it’s an experienced group. You can tell the ability to fight back in a contest at home where you’re down multiple possessions, keep playing the next play and come out with a win. They’re big and physical on both sides of the line of scrimmage. And athletically, they’re extremely talented, a lot of speed. It’s a typical athletic group from Texas.”
