Hear what he had to say to the team.
“Man, it couldn’t have started any worse.”
It quite literally could not have. With Tennessee’s season hanging in the balance, the Volunteers gave up an opening kickoff return for a touchdown. Dylan Sampson then fumbled and Vanderbilt quickly punched in another.
Down 14-0, and frankly getting blown off the ball by the Vandy offensive front early on, things looked bleak. Until they didn’t. A huge interception in the endzone by Jermod McCoy, a few big plays in the passing game, Dylan Sampson doing Dylan Sampson things — Tennessee stormed back to take a lead into halftime. They would quickly put things away to open the second half.
After the game, Heupel addressed the team after unofficially clinching a berth in the College Football Playoff.
Job’s not finished. pic.twitter.com/1pnwLnvAK9
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 30, 2024
It was as simple as win-and-you’re-in for Tennessee on Saturday, but of course, it was anything but simple. You’ve got to be impressed with the composure they showed though, especially in the hands of a freshman quarterback. Nico Iamaleava showed up in a big way after tossing an early pick, while the defense eventually locked in and clamped down. Tennessee seemed to wear down the Vandy offensive front, as they done several times this season.
The Volunteers now have three weeks off. The new rankings will be revealed on Tuesday night, while the final bracket will be set next Sunday.