Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel believes quarterback Joe Milton will be available and will play for this week’s critical SEC East matchup against South Carolina.
Milton took an awkward shot to his knee during the second quarter of Tennessee’s win over UTSA. The sixth-year senior continued to play after taking the hit but a picture circling the internet Sunday showed Milton before apparently receiving an MRI at UT Medical Center.
While Heupel didn’t provide great detail about the injury, he did provide optimism that his veteran quarterback would play against the Gamecocks.
“I can’t believe it took that long to get that question,” Heupel joked when asked about Milton’s status. “For us, I know there’s a picture out there, for us routinely on Sunday we’re going to make sure our players are healthy. We have a diagnosis inside with our doctors. But we’re going to make sure medically they check in on him as well. Joe has been good, feels good. Is with us today so anticipate him being ready to go play really well.”
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It was a tale of two halves for Milton against UTSA last Saturday. Milton started the game 14-of-16 passing for 156 yards and two passing touchdowns, along with an 81-yard rushing touchdown.
But after Milton completed just one of his first seven passes in the second half it was easy to speculate that the late second quarter hit affected the Vols’ quarterback. Heupel indicated after the game that he didn’t believe that to be the case.
Milton has been average for Tennessee this season, completing 63% of his passes for 925 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception to date. The former Michigan transfer has added four rushing touchdowns as well.
Tennessee is entering a critical SEC East matchup against South Carolina before its one open date in the regular season. The Vols are looking to avenge last season’s loss in Columbia that derailed their College Football Playoff hopes.
Kickoff from Neyland Stadium is at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday night. Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers and Cole Cubelic are on the call for the SEC Network.
One Response
The Vol’s may be in for a bad time at SC and a long season if Milton is the man. Wake up coach!