Tennessee Football has an open date this weekend which means that the media schedule is much more scaled back this week. Media was condensed to just one day this week as Josh Heupel and a handful of players all spoke for a few minutes after practice on Wednesday morning in Knoxville.
The Vols enter their first of two open dates with a 4-0 record, two Top 25 wins, the No. 5 AP ranking, and a 1-0 start to SEC play.
While Nico Iamaleava and the Vols’ revamped offense was the biggest talking point during the offseason, Tennessee’s defense is dominating the headlines as one of the top defenses in all of college football. The Vols’ defensive group ranks as the most efficient defense in ESPN’s Football Power Index and is posting an FBS-leading 176.0 yards allowed per game through four.
Heupel led off the press conferences on Wednesday as he spoke about plans for the bye week, specific player performances against Oklahoma, where the team can improve before Arkansas, Tennessee’s offensive tackle positions, Sunday night’s Morgan Wallen show, and much more.
Tennessee also had four players speak with the media on Wednesday: DL Elijah Simmons, DL Jayson Jenkins, OL Andrej Karic, and S Christian Harrison.
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Check out all five interviews from Tennessee’s open week below:
Head Coach Josh Heupel
“You can’t beat seeing Peyton in his uniform, you know what I mean? Tried to get him to come back for one more. He said he’s done.” pic.twitter.com/V5Tzt3XmjM
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) September 25, 2024
DL Elijah Simmons
DL Jayson Jenkins
S Christian Harrison
OL Andrej Karic