Heupel Post-Game Press Conference

[Adam Sandler]

https://www.wate.com/video/tennessee-head-coach-josh-heupel-breaks-down-the-vols-loss-to-alabama/11182112/

Doesn’t say too much. Can’t expect him to comment on the refs, he’d get fined or be looked at as not accepting responsibility, but at what point do we hear from athletic directors about it? It’s awful. Games are not being called with any consistency, even within the same game, to the point the games appear rigged, which I would think is not good for business for anyone in the conference.

I’d like our reporters to press him on some of the more mind boggling things that continue to happen this season. Some of the things they ask are lazy or completely not of interest (at least to me) given the circumstances. This is one of the premier roles and programs in college football history. He’s getting paid to perform and answer tough questions when he doesn’t. Here’s a few I would have asked about:

- the no timeout call with 25 seconds left that left us with 9 seconds to run 1-2 plays and directly leads to the abysmal goalline play that decided the game as much as any play tonight. Why the wait? Put us in a really tough position unnecessarily.
- The giving up a 99 yard touchdown drive, where players look out of position (and the play calls led directly to that) and missed tackles left and right. Wrong time to not be aggressive if you ask me.
- The decision to repeatedly pass in second half when it was only a 10 point game and we looked motivated and they were giving us the run. Wrong time to play like you’re desperate if you ask me. Bishop just showed on the previous drive we could score running the ball and quickly.
- The reliance on soft bend but don’t break and turnovers strategy, coupled with every time we get a turnover it seems the offense doesn’t capitalize: it’s not working and nearly cost us arkansas and miss st and definitely cost us against uga and bama tonight.
- I’m sure there’s more but those are the biggies to me.


At some point need heupel/banks to answer to the defensive strategy and performance this season. Offense somehow miraculously being better shouldn’t mean the defense has to be worse. And though we have talent and make explosive plays, the defense is not elite. I actually think we looked better in this game than the past 3 from that perspective, but didn’t get off the field enough when it counted most and that along with failing to capitalize when we do is what people will remember. Ultimately the defense is on the field longer and running more that way than if we got off the field and sustained drives on offense when the defense gives us momentum.

Disclosure: This is not a “fahr _____” thread. I just really would like to see us consistently play to our potential (and see the coaches questioned more thoughtfully when we don’t), which could have meant wins against uga and bama and not close games against miss st and arkansas. As it stands we’re projected to now miss playoffs while arguably lesser teams like Mizzou and Vandy remain the conversation, and it doesn’t have to and shouldn’t be that way.

 

[madbamahater]

Alabama had a defensive tackle literally with half of his body in the neutral zone and there was no flag. I can't imagine the line judges not seeing this and they just simply had to intentionally not throw a flag there is no other explanation.

On the Tennessee offensive pass interference call that eventually led to the safety on Alabama's next possession and Alabama wide receiver interfered with a defender on a pick-type play, literally ran into the defender and there was a no call.

 

[Adam Sandler]

Alabama had a defensive tackle literally with half of his body in the neutral zone and there was no flag. I can't imagine the line judges not seeing this and they just simply had to intentionally not throw a flag there is no other explanation.

On the Tennessee offensive pass interference call that eventually led to the safety on Alabama's next possession and Alabama wide receiver interfered with a defender on a pick-type play, literally ran into the defender and there was a no call.

yeah it’s bad. They lined up in the neutral zone or offsides repeatedly with no calls while we had ticky tacky stuff combed out of a haystack to be called on us. There was the one where they clearly drew us off, called against us. No review on what I thought was a fumble before their first touchdown. Plenty of holding penalties not called on them. The dirty late hits on aguilar (one didn’t get called in end zone and one the whole stadium had to be up in arms over before the flag came out - joeys lucky to be walking out of there in one piece). I was losing my mind the whole time.

 

[Rocky Top T]

Press conference with Heupel is a waste of time. He doesn't say anything and the press won't ask tough questions

 

[Volsbattle]

Alabama had a defensive tackle literally with half of his body in the neutral zone and there was no flag. I can't imagine the line judges not seeing this and they just simply had to intentionally not throw a flag there is no other explanation.

On the Tennessee offensive pass interference call that eventually led to the safety on Alabama's next possession and Alabama wide receiver interfered with a defender on a pick-type play, literally ran into the defender and there was a no call.

Just stop it. Refs were not the problem. We got man handled. We are not in the same league as Ala, Ga, Ohio state, plus many more. Our defensive line was sucking air tonight. Hands on the hips. Out of shape. Coach H is too soft on them. Plus the hurry up offense is killing us. Teams have adjusted to it. Need to learn how to pound the ball to the other team. We played men tonight. Just like we played men when we played Ohio state. Oklahoma and Vandy will be hard to beat.

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

https://www.wate.com/video/tennessee-head-coach-josh-heupel-breaks-down-the-vols-loss-to-alabama/11182112/

Doesn’t say too much. Can’t expect him to comment on the refs, he’d get fined or be looked at as not accepting responsibility, but at what point do we hear from athletic directors about it? It’s awful. Games are not being called with any consistency, even within the same game, to the point the games appear rigged, which I would think is not good for business for anyone in the conference.

I’d like our reporters to press him on some of the more mind boggling things that continue to happen this season. Some of the things they ask are lazy or completely not of interest (at least to me) given the circumstances. This is one of the premier roles and programs in college football history. He’s getting paid to perform and answer tough questions when he doesn’t. Here’s a few I would have asked about:

- the no timeout call with 25 seconds left that left us with 9 seconds to run 1-2 plays and directly leads to the abysmal goalline play that decided the game as much as any play tonight. Why the wait? Put us in a really tough position unnecessarily.
- The giving up a 99 yard touchdown drive, where players look out of position (and the play calls led directly to that) and missed tackles left and right. Wrong time to not be aggressive if you ask me.
- The decision to repeatedly pass in second half when it was only a 10 point game and we looked motivated and they were giving us the run. Wrong time to play like you’re desperate if you ask me. Bishop just showed on the previous drive we could score running the ball and quickly.
- The reliance on soft bend but don’t break and turnovers strategy, coupled with every time we get a turnover it seems the offense doesn’t capitalize: it’s not working and nearly cost us arkansas and miss st and definitely cost us against uga and bama tonight.
- I’m sure there’s more but those are the biggies to me.


At some point need heupel/banks to answer to the defensive strategy and performance this season. Offense somehow miraculously being better shouldn’t mean the defense has to be worse. And though we have talent and make explosive plays, the defense is not elite. I actually think we looked better in this game than the past 3 from that perspective, but didn’t get off the field enough when it counted most and that along with failing to capitalize when we do is what people will remember. Ultimately the defense is on the field longer and running more that way than if we got off the field and sustained drives on offense when the defense gives us momentum.

Disclosure: This is not a “fahr _____” thread. I just really would like to see us consistently play to our potential (and see the coaches questioned more thoughtfully when we don’t), which could have meant wins against uga and bama and not close games against miss st and arkansas. As it stands we’re projected to now miss playoffs while arguably lesser teams like Mizzou and Vandy remain the conversation, and it doesn’t have to and shouldn’t be that way.

The reporters are mostly scared to lose access. He should be grilled on the last play of the second half and would be in a pro market. Any reporter who asked anything about any other factor should be embarrassed.

 

[RockyTop140]

Just stop it. Refs were not the problem. We got man handled. We are not in the same league as Ala, Ga, Ohio state, plus many more. Our defensive line was sucking air tonight. Hands on the hips. Out of shape. Coach H is too soft on them. Plus the hurry up offense is killing us. Teams have adjusted to it. Need to learn how to pound the ball to the other team. We played men tonight. Just like we played men when we played Ohio state. Oklahoma and Vandy will be hard to beat.

Ok I agree refs weren’t the problem. But not in the same league??? Cmon man. That’s ridiculous

 

[Chitlin&theDude]

"Coach Heupel, why doesn't this team tackle?"

 

[BearCat204]

Just stop it. Refs were not the problem. We got man handled. We are not in the same league as Ala, Ga, Ohio state, plus many more. Our defensive line was sucking air tonight. Hands on the hips. Out of shape. Coach H is too soft on them. Plus the hurry up offense is killing us. Teams have adjusted to it. Need to learn how to pound the ball to the other team. We played men tonight. Just like we played men when we played Ohio state. Oklahoma and Vandy will be hard to beat.

We should have won that game and outside of two key plays we would have. We have definitely bridged the gap in on field talent, but tonight we shot ourselves in the foot with coaching and poor execution. Tonight was very winnable, we just refused to not make dumb mistakes.

 

[Rocky Top T]

"Coach Heupel, why doesn't this team tackle?"

I bet they never practice tackling

 

[BP4Prez]

Just stop it. Refs were not the problem. We got man handled. We are not in the same league as Ala, Ga, Ohio state, plus many more. Our defensive line was sucking air tonight. Hands on the hips. Out of shape. Coach H is too soft on them. Plus the hurry up offense is killing us. Teams have adjusted to it. Need to learn how to pound the ball to the other team. We played men tonight. Just like we played men when we played Ohio state. Oklahoma and Vandy will be hard to beat.

I don’t agree with this. The difference in the game was the atrocious play call on the goal line. Even with that you are getting back in the game until the bad snap.

 

[Volsbattle]

Ok I agree refs weren’t the problem. But not in the same league??? Cmon man. That’s ridiculous

We are not. Our defensive line was gassed. Out of shape. Undersized. How many sacks did we have? We have only played two ranked teams and gotten beat by both. Got out coached as well. Our hurry up offense is getting old. We have a winning record because we have played high school type games and run the score up. Oklahoma and Vandy will beat us

.

 

[rx7outkast]

- the no timeout call with 25 seconds left that left us with 9 seconds to run 1-2 plays and directly leads to the abysmal goalline play that decided the game as much as any play tonight. Why the wait? Put us in a really tough position unnecessarily

He managed this properly. We had two timeouts there and he waited to call the timeout until after we had earned the first down. That way, once we were on the 2 yard line we still had the run available to us. We did run on the next play, didn't execute - getting stuffed at the 1, and ended up needing to use the 2nd timeout. With 9 seconds to go and the clock not moving until the snap, that still left us with 2 (or 3) opportunities to score from the 1-yard line. The garbage play call...and the even worse pass by Joey (note the guy behind Kitselman was open for a "safe" pass) led to the disaster, not the time management.

 

[kiddiedoc]

We were literally 5-6 dumb penalties, one stupid play call, and horrible officiating from winning that game. The talent is there.

 

[#1fulmerite]

We are not. Our defensive line was gassed. Out of shape. Undersized. How many sacks did we have? We have only played two ranked teams and gotten beat by both. Got out coached as well. Our hurry up offense is getting old. We have a winning record because we have played high school type games and run the score up. Oklahoma and Vandy will beat us

.

As a fan, it feels so fake to see 60-70 points against weak azz DI AA type schools but get beat by ranked teams or, barely beat them. Sort of like the difference in playing PlayStation against others online and against your 12 year old nephew.

 

[Tnman1]

Marking the ball short multiple times on TN seemed intentional. When it comes to officiating, it’s been bad all over the SEC this year. I’m certain it’s a matter of time before some refs get tied to sports books in some way.

 

[Adam Sandler]

He managed this properly. We had two timeouts there and he waited to call the timeout until after we had earned the first down. That way, once we were on the 2 yard line we still had the run available to us. We did run on the next play, didn't execute - getting stuffed at the 1, and ended up needing to use the 2nd timeout. With 9 seconds to go and the clock not moving until the snap, that still left us with 2 (or 3) opportunities to score from the 1-yard line. The garbage play call...and the even worse pass by Joey (note the guy behind Kitselman was open for a "safe" pass) led to the disaster, not the time management.

Or, and hear me out, call the damn timeout when the clock is running. Then you can draw up two back to back plays, get your first down and still have another 10+ seconds left. I refuse to believe that was managed properly. I get he wanted the first down without letting them change personnel, but it cost him over 10 seconds and that would have been 2 more plays inside the five and not have to pass (and throw a 100 yard pick six that swing the game 14 points) for fear of not getting in on a run. Number of plays was more important there and I realized it live, don’t understand how he didn’t.

 

[Adam Sandler]

Marking the ball short multiple times on TN seemed intentional. When it comes to officiating, it’s been bad all over the SEC this year. I’m certain it’s a matter of time before some refs get tied to sports books in some way.

Or intra conference collusion more likely. It’s only going to get worse with a 9 game conference schedule in a 12 team playoff format. Stanley will protect his golden gooses at all costs, and that’s not good for anyone, even the gooses because it means they don’t actually have to be as good as they should have to be to be the goose. And that’s going to show deep in the playoffs Id bet.

 

[lexkyvol]

https://www.wate.com/video/tennessee-head-coach-josh-heupel-breaks-down-the-vols-loss-to-alabama/11182112/

Doesn’t say too much. Can’t expect him to comment on the refs, he’d get fined or be looked at as not accepting responsibility, but at what point do we hear from athletic directors about it? It’s awful. Games are not being called with any consistency, even within the same game, to the point the games appear rigged, which I would think is not good for business for anyone in the conference.

I’d like our reporters to press him on some of the more mind boggling things that continue to happen this season. Some of the things they ask are lazy or completely not of interest (at least to me) given the circumstances. This is one of the premier roles and programs in college football history. He’s getting paid to perform and answer tough questions when he doesn’t. Here’s a few I would have asked about:

- the no timeout call with 25 seconds left that left us with 9 seconds to run 1-2 plays and directly leads to the abysmal goalline play that decided the game as much as any play tonight. Why the wait? Put us in a really tough position unnecessarily.
- The giving up a 99 yard touchdown drive, where players look out of position (and the play calls led directly to that) and missed tackles left and right. Wrong time to not be aggressive if you ask me.
- The decision to repeatedly pass in second half when it was only a 10 point game and we looked motivated and they were giving us the run. Wrong time to play like you’re desperate if you ask me. Bishop just showed on the previous drive we could score running the ball and quickly.
- The reliance on soft bend but don’t break and turnovers strategy, coupled with every time we get a turnover it seems the offense doesn’t capitalize: it’s not working and nearly cost us arkansas and miss st and definitely cost us against uga and bama tonight.
- I’m sure there’s more but those are the biggies to me.


At some point need heupel/banks to answer to the defensive strategy and performance this season. Offense somehow miraculously being better shouldn’t mean the defense has to be worse. And though we have talent and make explosive plays, the defense is not elite. I actually think we looked better in this game than the past 3 from that perspective, but didn’t get off the field enough when it counted most and that along with failing to capitalize when we do is what people will remember. Ultimately the defense is on the field longer and running more that way than if we got off the field and sustained drives on offense when the defense gives us momentum.

Disclosure: This is not a “fahr _____” thread. I just really would like to see us consistently play to our potential (and see the coaches questioned more thoughtfully when we don’t), which could have meant wins against uga and bama and not close games against miss st and arkansas. As it stands we’re projected to now miss playoffs while arguably lesser teams like Mizzou and Vandy remain the conversation, and it doesn’t have to and shouldn’t be that way.

they dont need to answer to anything. youngest roster in the sec with injuries to two draft picks at each cb spot and elsewhere with depth. we are 5-2 and a field goal away from 6-1 or even 7-0 with confidence off the make. even if we miss the playoffs, i love this team 2026. depth will be improved and outside qb play we should be LOADED. plus, 2025 isnt over yet. we could easily win out and get a playoff spot. still a bit of football left to be played!

 

[MemphisVol77]

I have a question about a some of the early penalties.

1. The ineligible receiver down field penalty on Staley.
2 .The OPI before the safety.

Did flags come out during the play, before the whistle, on either? I didn't notice flags in real time and didn't see them on replay. .

I recent switched to a streaming provider ( I don't recommend IPTV) and don't have DVR anymore. I don't want to put the tin foil hat on for no reason, but it's gonna bother me if those flags weren't thrown until after the whistle.

 

[C-south]

I have a question about a some of the early penalties.

1. The ineligible receiver down field penalty on Staley.
2 .The OPI before the safety.

Did flags come out during the play, before the whistle, on either? I didn't notice flags in real time and didn't see them on replay. .

I recent switched to a streaming provider ( I don't recommend IPTV) and don't have DVR anymore. I don't want to put the tin foil hat on for no reason, but it's gonna bother me if those flags weren't thrown until after the whistle.

Staley appeared covered up. Like he was off the line just enough to not be. The opi is a play than is only allowed against us I suppose. You see it like we ran it all the time.

 

[Tnphil]

Press conference with Heupel is a waste of time. He doesn't say anything and the press won't ask tough questions

It's like it scripted...Like they are government run and they give out sheets of papers with the questions to ask. I stopped watching his pressers over 2 years ago.

 

[MemphisVol77]

Staley appeared covered up. Like he was off the line just enough to not be. The opi is a play than is only allowed against us I suppose. You see it like we ran it all the time.

I didn't like either call, I thought they were both too ticky tacky.

Late flags (if that's the case here) raise my ire exponentially, though. I'm just trying to wear my tinfoil hat responsibly.

 

[Adam Sandler]

they dont need to answer to anything. youngest roster in the sec with injuries to two draft picks at each cb spot and elsewhere with depth. we are 5-2 and a field goal away from 6-1 or even 7-0 with confidence off the make. even if we miss the playoffs, i love this team 2026. depth will be improved and outside qb play we should be LOADED. plus, 2025 isnt over yet. we could easily win out and get a playoff spot. still a bit of football left to be played!

They don’t have to answer anything but we also should be asking them about it. Yeah we’re a field goal away from 6-1. We’re also two field goals away from 3-4 and being winless in SEC. That’s not a great place to be as a CFP contender hopeful.

 

[Adam Sandler]

I didn't like either call, I thought they were both too ticky tacky.

Late flags (if that's the case here) raise my ire exponentially, though. I'm just trying to wear my tinfoil hat responsibly.

I don’t recall if they were “late” or not. But those bama flags on us in general came out mighty quick. And our qb who was possibly suffering a neck injury was crushed and laying motionless for at least a couple seconds before the roughing late hit flag came in. That had me pretty irate.