Tennessee Vols morning report: Josh Heupel, players recap Pitt win
Morale is riding high as ever for the Tennessee Vols. The football team is undefeated coming off a road win over a top 25 team. They haven’t had those two things happening at once since their hail mary to beat the Georgia Bulldogs to get to 5-0 in 2016.
Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with more coverage of that UT win at the Pittsburgh Panthers last Saturday. We’ve got postgame press conferences from the game to cover, and we’ve got updates in the rankings to bring you.
Beyond football, though, this was a loaded news weekend. Soccer, volleyball, men’s golf and men’s tennis all took part in events. Meanwhile, we have a women’s golf preview to bring you, so fall sports are in full swing, and things are looking exciting. Let’s dive into that excitement with the football news.
Josh Heupel, players talk win over Pitt – Ben McKee, GoVols247
After the Tennessee Vols football team beat the Pittsburgh Panthers on the road Saturday, Josh Heupel, Hendon Hooker, Cedric Tillman, Byron Young and Omari Thomas all spoke with the media. Here’s a bit of what Heupel said.
"“There’s so much that we’ve got to do better — coaches and players alike — in particular on offense and special teams. I thought our defense absolutely battled (in the) second, third and fourth quarters and got put in a bunch of sudden-change situations.”"
Football moves up in both polls – Matt Ray, SI.com
Thanks to beating a top 25 team, Tennessee football shot up both polls Sunday. Pitt was No. 17 in the AP Poll and No. 14 in the Coaches Poll when UT beat the. They have fallen to No. 23 in the AP Poll and No. 25 in the Coaches Poll while Rocky Top is in the top 20 of both.
"After being Unranked in the Coach’s poll, Tennesee has moved up to No.16.However, the AP Poll, where the Vols were ranked 24th coming into the weekend, now has them at No. 15."
Soccer defeats Queens – Ken Lay, VolsWire.com
Ahead of their SEC opener against the Florida Gators, the Tennessee Lady Vols won their fourth straight game. UT defeated Queens University of Charlotte Sunday.
"The Lady Vols (4-2-1) notched a 6-0 victory at Regal Soccer Stadium. The win also represented Tennessee’s fourth straight shutout."
Volleyball sweeps Rocky Top Classic – Caleb Jarreau, UT Daily Beacon
Finally, the Tennessee Lady Vols volleyball team had a complete weekend. After losing two of three at home to open the season at the Tennessee Classic and then winning two of three at the N.C. State Classic, UT swept all three matches in the Rocky Top Classic over the weekend. They beat New Hampshire Friday and Nofrolk State and The Citadel Saturday.
"Tennessee returns to action Tuesday, welcoming No. 21 Western Kentucky to Thompson Boling Arena. The game can be streamed on SEC Network+ at 6 p.m. ET."
Golf wraps up Maui Jim Intercollegiate – UTSports
True freshman Caleb Surratt shot 18-under to come in sixth place at the Maui Jim Intercollegiate over the weekend. The Tennessee Vols men’s golf team shot 28-under and finished sixth.
"Surratt’s 18-under performance is the best 54-hole score in relation to par in program history. Over the course of the weekend, Surratt made 22 birdies with just two bogeys and one double bogey."
Men’s tennis wraps up Orlando Fall Shootout – UTSports
The Tennessee Vols men’s tennis team came away with 20 victories at the Orlando Fall Shootout over the weekend. Those victories included 15 singles and five doubles wins.
"Tennessee plays host to North Carolina, MTSU, Columbia and Illinois at the Knoxville Showdown, running Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 15-18. Admission for the event at Barksdale Stadium is free."
Women’s golf set for Cougar Classic – UTSports
While the Tennessee Vols men’s golf team began the season over the weekend, the Tennessee Lady Vols golf team begins it Monday in South Carolina. UT will travel to Charleston, S.C., to take part in the Cougar Classic.
"The tournament will be a two-day, 54-hole event, with the opening two rounds scheduled for Monday, followed by round three on Tuesday."