Vols Expected to Keep Things Rolling Against Kent State
(utsports.com) KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Coming off the ninth ranked win of the Josh Heupel era on Saturday against NC State, No. 7/9 Tennessee will look to continue to improve in all areas as it welcomes Kent State to Neyland Stadium this weekend.
The 51-10 win over the 24th-ranked Wolfpack marked the largest margin of victory for the Vols against any AP ranked team since defeating No. 9 Florida 45-3 on Oct. 13, 1990, and was the third-highest in program history.
Physicality in the trenches on both sides of the ball were the major story from Saturday’s win as the Big Orange rushed for 249 yards while the defense racked up 13 tackles for loss and stifled NC State all night long.
“You look at our ability to run the football since we have been here, statistically over the last decade we have always run the ball really efficiently and effectively,” Heupel said on Monday. “We have balance, and we do create big plays in the pass game, but we create those things in the run game too. I was proud of the physicality we played with on the offensive line and our tight ends and running backs played that way too.
“Same thing on the other side of the football, you look at the way our front seven played at the line of scrimmage and that was a big part of the football game.”
Statistically, Saturday was one of the best defensive performances of the Heupel era as the Vols held the Wolfpack to just 143 yards of total offense, which is the fewest yards allowed during defensive coordinator Tim Banks‘ tenure.
UT’s 39 rushing yards allowed marked the 19th time it has surrendered less than 100 yards under Banks. Dating back to 2022, the Vols have won their last 13 games when holding an opponent under 100 yards rushing.
“Tim has done an unbelievable job. That’s been from day one of being here, building camaraderie, trust, chemistry on that side of the football,” Heupel said about his fourth-year defensive coordinator.
“The understanding of our scheme, the fundamentals of it, that’s a credit to our players and our coaches. We’re playing really good football right now. As a competitor, you are only as good as our next one. Saturday night, that’s our next test. I do love how physical and how fast we’re playing, and we have to continue to grow. Good teams and good defenses continue to get better. There are plenty of opportunities for us to be better in what we have done up until this point.”
Coverage of this Saturday’s contest will begin at 7:45 p.m. on the SEC Network.
