Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel met with the local media on Monday afternoon before the Vols travel to Florida looking for their first win at the Swamp since 2003.
Heupel discussed this year’s Florida team, the losing streak in Gainesville, Boo Carter’s departure from the team and much more. Here’s everything Heupel said.
More From RTI: Kickoff Time Set, Broadcast Details Uncertain For Tennessee Football Against Vanderbilt
Opening statement
“Good afternoon. I just want to start by saying to Rick Russo and his family, we miss you and our thoughts and prayers are with you. You guys know he’s been a mainstay around here for a long time, long before I got here too. So everybody’s thinking about you.
“Got an opportunity to go on the road (at Florida), play a team that’s playing extremely well, in lots of close ballgames. But a rivalry game here and I’m sure it will be a great atmosphere down in Gainesville. It’s a football game that’s always physical and won in the details of the game, turnover margin. You got to go play extremely well in all three phases.
On if he regrets giving Boo Carter a second chance at Tennessee
“Not regretful. At the end of the day, it’s our job as coaches to try to help mold these guys. That’s part of the commitment we make in the recruiting process, and when we decide to come. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. At the end of the day, we’re moving forward.”
On Tennessee not winning at Florida since 2003, if he addresses that kind of thing with this team
“We talked about it today briefly. I showed a video of just the rivalry and great players, great moments, what it takes to go win in this game, ultimately. This is a great game and it’s going to be a great stage. One play doesn’t have anything to do with the next and a previous trip down to Gainesville doesn’t have anything to do with (this one). You’ve got to prepare the right way, you’ve got to practice the right way and you’re going to have to go play extremely well in this one. You look at the losses that they’ve had, particularly here lately, it’s been tight football games against really good football teams at neutral sites or road games. So, just going to take our best all Saturday night.”
On how much he factors in what has and hasn’t worked on the road at Florida for his Tennessee teams
“It’s going to be a great environment. You’re playing great competition.
It’s a typical Florida football team. You just look at, the size on the line of scrimmage, the athleticism that they have at the skill positions. You got to go play a complete football game in this one.”
On if there’s a common denominator with the recent interceptions thrown by Joey Aguilar
“Every one of them is probably a little bit different. The other night, he anticipates a guy that he’s throwing to to keep coming to meet the football. Gets hit on one. I already said it, but we you have to take care of the football in this game. Can’t give them short fields, can’t give them points and not give yourself an opportunity to continue to move the football.”
On assuming Tennessee injury updates will have to wait for the SEC Injury Report on Wednesday night
“That’s a good assumption.”
On how he feels Jesse Perry is growing in his comfort at guard compared to tackle
“I think, in general, Jesse feels good about playing inside. He’s felt that way. When David was gone, all of his work came out at the tackle position. I think, a week or two of work back on the inside has let him get back to the true comfort that he has there.”
On how he feels about Tennessee’s tight end depth
“I like the development of that room. Ethan was gone in the middle part of the season for four weeks, I think it was. I feel good about where he’s at and our young tight ends have continued to develop. I feel good about those guys.”
On what Ethan Davis has done well the last few weeks
“Playing well in the pass game, but been physical assignment sound in the run game. The other night I thought he played extremely well in the run game.”
On what stands out about Florida’s offense
“Big and physical up front. All the eye candy before the snap. A lot of shift, trade, motion, formation of the boundary, tackle oversets. You got to play with discipline, you got to communicate, you got to adjust, you got to tie all three levels of the defense together. That’s in the run game, your fits, but also in your pass defense as well. Got playmakers out on the outside, running backs, really, really good play.”
On Ty Redmond winning SEC Freshman of the Week, his growth
“True for every young guy. Just continues to get better every single week. That’s fundamentals and technique. It’s understanding what we’re doing schematically. More time on task against competition on the other side of the football. Just continues to raise his level of play.”
On second quarter offensive lulls, if anything stands out about it
“It’s never just one thing. The turnovers have been part of that the last couple a couple of weeks as well. And that comes down to all 11 doing their job at a really high level.”
On Boo Carter claiming he was injured, if Tennessee should have listed him on the SEC Availability Report
“No, sir. Not based on our trainers.”
