Tennessee’s defensive front has been the steadiest part of the Vols’ season, and Josh Heupel says the reason is simple. Nobody on that line cares who gets the stat.
Heupel joined the Mike Keith Show on Monday night coming off the win over Alabama, and he spent a big part of the conversation on a defense that has carried the Vols through much of the season. He also made clear the offense isn’t where it needs to be yet, even after a 15-play fourth-quarter drive that sealed the game on Saturday.
No. 11 Tennessee now heads to Columbia for an eighth straight game week, against a South Carolina team coming off a road win at Florida before their bye. Here’s everything Heupel said.
How does the defensive line’s unselfish play work as a unit?
“Whether it’s run game or pass game, some of the stunts, the twists that you have, are designed in a way for you to help your buddy get in position to make the play. And to do that, you’ve got to execute it at a really high level. Sometimes you’re the guy that’s trying to eat up two to get your buddy free. This group has executed those things at a really high level, and that’s why I talk about them playing unselfishly.”
Xavier Gilliam has become the face of the defensive line but still does that work for others. What does that say?
“Absolutely. Interior guys helping edges, edges helping interior guys. That group has had a dramatic impact on really every football game. It’s a credit to those guys that they’re playing in that style consistently. We’re going to need that from them this week when we go on the road.”
Tyree Weathersby is the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week. What is he doing well through seven games?
“Playing extremely hard. He does a great job with his hands. He’s got an extremely violent, strong punch. You see that in the run game, but that’s also played out in his pass rush. He’s played relentless. He has a sack that I showed our football team on Monday morning of him just being relentless and getting to the quarterback.”
What drove Weathersby’s development from year three to year four?
“I think he’s probably at his healthiest physically right now. That’s a part of it. But just continued growth in fundamentals. And he’s become a guy that’s doing a really good job leading that unit as far as the defensive line as well.”
What is Amare Campbell, who again played every snap, giving the linebacker unit?
“He’s extremely smart, has mastered what we’re doing on the defensive side of the football. He’s been in it for a couple years now. But he’s playing with the ability to make tackles. He is a really good tackler. Fundamentally, body position, understanding when it’s time to pull your trigger, using his arms. And he’s great in communication too. Some of the subtle things that we do defensively with our front based off of what we’re seeing, he does a really good job of understanding those things and making sure that we’re all in sync.”
What has fourth-year cornerback Kayin Lee added alongside Ty Redmond in terms of consistency?
“A guy that through spring ball was starting to pick up on what we were doing defensively. The last third of spring ball he took a real jump and continued that through the summer, and that’s why he’s performed the way that he has. He’s got great understanding of what we’re doing defensively, but understanding offensive sets, spacing, what’s the split. Within the scope of our coverage, he’s playing with great eyes, playing with really good fundamentals and technique, and doing a really good job matching things out and playing the ball when it’s in the air.”
What pleased you most about the offensive jump from Arkansas to Alabama?
“There’s still another big jump left there. We continue to do things that hurt us. During the course of a drive, pre-snap, we’re giving things away and making it easier for the defense. We have to get a better handle on those things that we’re in control of for us to be as efficient as we’re capable of offensively.”
The 15-play, 72-yard, 9:30 drive still showed consistency. Are you seeing the steps?
“I like that you swung it to the positive. Absolutely. That drive to go finish the fourth quarter. It’s important that you’re able to play that way, execute that way, go finish in the end zone. It’s a credit to all 11, in particular our front five and our tight ends and running backs.”
After eight straight weeks and four physical SEC games, do you manage the load differently this week without breaking momentum?
“We’ve already subtly tweaked some things in our practices from what we were doing earlier, based on the health of each individual, how much good-on-good work they’re going to get. We are smart in monitoring. But you’ve got to continue to get better, and you’ve got to practice to do that. So we need to win our preparation. We need to win the practice this week to give ourselves a chance to go play the way we’re capable and need to when we get to South Carolina on Saturday.”
What are your first thoughts on South Carolina?
“Really good football team that hit their stride a week ago. Big-time win down in Gainesville. Quarterback [LaNorris Sellers] is dynamic, experienced, can make plays with his legs, obviously his arm as well. Their defense, extremely difficult to run the football against. They’re athletic on the edges. They can impact the quarterback really quickly in the pocket when you drop back. It will be a huge test for us.”
