A new video this week shows a great look at a conversation between Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel and quarterback Nico Iamaleava on the field after the Oklahoma game.
While the video only captures a sentence of what was said from coach to player, it’s fairly possible to make out what was being said.
“I pulled back because of the way our defense was playing,” Heupel appears to tell his quarterback. “Hell of a job.”
Need anymore confirmation about the second half play calling?
“I pulled back a tad just because the way our defense was playing, hell of a job”
There. Shut up. You saw a coach mature and actually be able to lean on his defense. pic.twitter.com/5MMnB4hzE5
— NBAVOLBOY 🍊🧡 (@NBAYOUNGVOL) September 24, 2024
More from RTI: Tennessee Cornerback Receives National Recognition After Huge Game Against Oklahoma
Heupel’s play-calling in the second half of the Oklahoma game received some critique following the contest despite the win as some believed the normally high-powered play-caller was a bit too conservative as the Sooners desperately looked for a comeback in the final quarter. The reality is that Heupel trusted his defense.
Tennessee saw their lead diminish from 19 points to 10 points in the fourth quarter but the game was squarely in the Volunteers’ control throughout the contest. Tennessee didn’t need to keep sending their offense out and run their entire playbook up 19 entering the fourth quarter in a road environment – they just needed to put the ball on the ground and run between the tackles, get out with a win.
The Vols’ defense is the top-rated security blanket in the country, too.
Through four games this season, Tennessee has the most efficient defense in the country according to ESPN’s Football Power Index with a 98.9 rating. The Vols’ rating isn’t a fluke, either. Tennessee has decimated their opponents defensively and went 19 straight quarters without allowing an opposing offensive touchdown until Oklahoma broke that in the fourth quarter on Saturday night.
The way Heupel covers his mouth in the video indicates that the conversation with Iamaleava was likely meant to be private. Fortunately, though, someone’s camera was able to get close enough for enough time to hear the line being said. It sounds like Heupel simply just believed in his defense and was content running the ball to put the contest away.
“You look at the steps that our defense has taken, your team forms its own identity each year and it’s my responsibility to put them in a position to play a complete game together, find the best way to win,” Heupel said in his postgame press conference. “And tonight, that’s how the game unfold.”
Tennessee has an open date this weekend but Josh Heupel will meet with the media on Wednesday morning in Knoxville. Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for complete coverage. The Vols defeated No. 15 Oklahoma 25-15 on Saturday night in Norman and moved up to AP No. 5 after the victory.
