Vols Gear Up For Home Opener Against ETSU
(utsports.com) For the sixth straight year, Tennessee is off to a 1-0 start after downing Syracuse in its season opener last weekend in Atlanta. The No. 24/18 Vols will look to build off that success as they prepare for their first home game of the 2025 campaign this Saturday afternoon against East Tennessee State (3:30 p.m., SECN+/ESPN+).
Head coach Josh Heupel applauded his team’s effort in its 45-26 victory over the Orange but was quick to turn his attention to this weekend’s test against an in-state opponent in ETSU that is also coming off an impressive victory in its opening contest.
“Pleased with the win from Saturday, but today’s about how we get better and move forward,” Heupel said in his Monday afternoon press conference. “I thought the guys were good inside of our meetings and when we ultimately got on the field, too. I’m looking forward to a good week.
“ETSU, you look at how they performed on Saturday, a bunch of yards, a bunch of points, and they did some really good things on the defensive side of the ball too.”
UT’s offense came out firing against Syracuse, thanks in large part to the play of quarterback Joey Aguilar, who was extremely productive in his debut in Orange and White, finishing with 281 yards of total offense and three touchdowns on the day.
“I thought he was good in the decision-making and communication,” Heupel said of Aguilar’s performance. “I said that after the football game, (he was) super calm. I thought he used his feet at the right moment. Great demeanor throughout the course of the game. A lot to really like from it.”
The running game carried its fair share of the load, as well, churning out 246 yards while averaging 6.2 yards per carry. All three of Tennessee’s main running backs found the end zone in the win.
“The standard is the standard, and we’re all chasing perfection. We understand that it’s also not going to be attainable in this game, but you’re certainly chasing it, and we need to take a jump. That’s collectively as a team, by unit and certainly individuals as well. So, got to go approach the week the right way,” Heupel said when asked if the standard would have to be raised for this week’s game against the Bucs.
