All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee Vols morning report: Josh Heupel, players talk Ole Miss

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Tennessee Volunteers fans cheer during the first half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Tennessee Volunteers fans cheer during the first half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Monday was a typical transition day, albeit one with Tennessee Vols football fans feeling much better about their program than they have felt in a while. Now, UT has to move on from back to back blowout wins to face its former head coach.

Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with the football program kicking off its preparations for the Ole Miss Rebels and the return to town of former Vols head coach Lane Kiffin. Two coaches and two players spoke at multiple events Monday. We also have coverage of two players earning recognition for their play, and we have a game time update.

Beyond football, players in two other sports were recognized by the league as well, and we’ll bring up their success before finishing up our coverage for today. Checker Neyland being confirmed by Danny White on Twitter also warrants a mention, although it hasn’t been officially announced by the university yet. Let’s start with football stories kicking off Ole Miss week.

Josh Heupel, players talk Ole Miss – UTSports

Coming off their 45-20 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks Saturday, Tennessee Vols football head coach Josh Heupel met with the media Monday to discuss kicking off Ole Miss week. Heupel noted that linebacker Juwan Mitchell would be out for the season, a devastating blow. Alotae Taylor and Jerome Carvin also spoke.

"Saturday’s matchup will feature the Power Five’s two most up-tempo offenses. Ole Miss is averaging 2.89 offensive plays per minute (No. 2 FBS), while UT puts up 2.87 players per minute (No. 3 FBS)."

Jerry Mack speaks at Knoxville QB Club – Grant Ramey, GoVols247

At the Knoxville Quarterback Club Monday, Tennessee Vols football running backs coach Jerry Mack spoke. A standout topic was Dee Beckwith. Mack said he’s still learning the position. Here’s a bit of what else he said.

"“When you first start in college coaching, going through your journey, I always said what is a place I would really love coaching? You always have that one destination where you’re always like, man, where would I want to be? For me, being from Memphis, Tennessee, it’s been the University of Tennessee.”"

Brandon Turnage earns SEC Defensive Player of the Week – Jack Foster, SI.com

With two tackles for a loss and 14 tackles overall, seven of which were solo, in the Tennessee Vols football team’s 45-20 win over South Carolina, defensive back Brandon Turnage was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week. The Alabama Crimson Tide transfer was filling in for Theo Jackson at nickel in the game, as Jackson had gotten hurt.

"The first year Vol in Turnage showed that the Tennessee secondary has the depth necessary to compete with SEC offenses, and the ‘next man up’ mentality Josh Heupel incorporates with his team has proved successful."

Hendon Hooker named to Davey O’Brien Great 8 – DaveyOBrienAward.org

For the second straight week, Tennessee football quarterback Hendon Hooker was named to the Davey O’Brien Award’s Great 8. Hooker completed 17-of-23 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns while running for another 66 yards and a touchdown in UT’s win over South Carolina. He had no turnovers. This week, the award honored 16 QBs in a “Davey Double.”

"Any player named to a Great 8 list during the season who was not previously named to the Davey O’Brien Award’s Preseason Watch List is officially added to the Midseason Watch List and becomes eligible for consideration for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award. Following this week’s additions of nine quarterbacks (Calzada, de Laura, Hooker, Jones, Levis, Rising, Travis, Williams and Zappe), 63 players now comprise the current list."

Kickoff time for Alabama announced – Dan Harralson, VolsWire.com

Back to back night games are in store for Tennessee football. After facing the Ole Miss Rebels this week at 7:30 p.m. on SEC Network, UT will face the Alabama Crimson Tide the next week at night as well.

"The Southeastern Conference announced kickoff times for Oct. 23 games on Monday. The Vols and Crimson Tide will kick off at 7 p.m. EDT and ESPN will televise the SEC matchup."

Volleyball senior recognized by SEC – SECSports

Thanks to her efforts in helping the Tennessee Lady Vols volleyball program sweep the South Carolina Gamecocks over the weekend, senior Natalie Hayward was named SEC Setter of the Week on Monday. This was her third time winning the award.

"In match one, Hayward dished out 44 assists as UT hit .295, and followed that in match with 34 assists as Tennessee hit .376. She also put down nine kills on a .467 hit percentage, and finished with 12 digs four total blocks on the weekend."

Soccer freshman recognized by the SEC – UT Daily Beacon

After scoring the only goal Sunday in the Tennessee Lady Vols’ soccer team’s 1-0 victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks, Taylor Huff was once again named SEC Freshman of the Week. This is the second time she won the award this year.

"Huff is leading the team in goals this season with 7 so far on the year."

Home/Tennessee Volunteers