Tennessee Vols morning report: Josh Heupel, players recap Florida win

It’s an exciting time for the Tennessee Vols. Fall is in full swing, the football program is now 4-0 and in the top 10 of both polls heading into their bye week, and obviously, they just beat the Florida Gators. Who that is part of UT can’t be happy right now?

Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with more coverage of Saturday’s win. We’ve got postgame interviews with five different players along with Josh Heupel to bring you. Coverage of that it did for UT in the rankings and a Sunday award that came from it also makes news.

Beyond football, we’ve got soccer, volleyball and women’s tennis that took place over the weekend. Ongoing coverage of a current men’s golf event also makes news. Simply put, there’s plenty to touch on. Let’s start with all the football success.

Josh Heupel talks win vs. Florida – Grant Ramey, GoVols247

After their 38-33 win over the Florida Gators with College GameDay in attendance Saturday, Tennessee Vols football head coach Josh Heupel met with the media to discuss the performance. Here’s a bit of what he said about the day.

"“The Vol Walk was unlike anything I’ve ever seen as a college football player or college coach. The energy inside the stadium was electric.…Really excited for our players. Just the growth they’ve shown, the ability to compete no matter what the score was, no matter what was going on in the football game. Just resilient and fierce competitors, where we’ve grown in the time that I’ve been here, just really proud of our players.”"

Five Vol players talk Florida – Austin Price, VolQuest

In addition to Josh Heupel, Tennessee football had five players recap their win over the Gators: Hendon Hooker, Bru McCoy, LaTrell Bumphus, Jabari Small and Omari Thomas. Hooker, who had over 450 total yards and three total touchdowns, discussed performing on that stage. Here’s a bit of what he said.

"“I really didn’t feel under any spotlight or any stage. It’s us out there playing football like we do every day. Another day in the office and another outcome how we wanted it to be.”"

Bru McCoy, who had over 100 yards receiving and a touchdown in Cedric Tillman’s absence, talked about the environment. This is how he described it.

"“It’s a lot different from where I came from. I’ve done my best to ride the rollercoaster the best I can and lock in for the team and do what I can. I came here to do a job and help this team win. That’s what I’ve been trying to do.”"

LaTrell Bumphus, who had a tackle for a loss and four total tackles, two of which were solo, discussed what it meant to finally beat Florida. Here is what he said on that front.

"“Being here a long time, a couple of times, we were just one or two plays away, but we wind up on the bad side. It finally feels good to go out there and all the hard work pay off and come out on the winning side.”"

Jabari Small, who had 90 yards rushing, 32 receiving yards and two total touchdowns, talked about the 99-yard drive UT went on right before the half to take a 17-14 lead. This is what he said that meant to the game.

"“I think that’s when the game changed for the offense. Doesn’t matter what the clock says, you’re trying to fight and compete. That’s what Coach Heupel harps on, so I thought we should try to finish the drive and just compete.”"

Omari Thomas, who had a forced fumble, two hurries, a pass deflection and five tackles, three of which were solo, talked about the atmosphere surrounding the win. Here’s how he explained it.

"“Honestly, being able to just come here, experience all that, and to see how it’s changed from when I first got here to what it is now is just crazy. It’s something we want to just keep doing, honestly, and get better and better every week.”"

Hendon Hooker named offensive player of the week – WalterCamp.org

Thanks to his performance in the Tennessee Vols football team’s win over Florida, Hendon Hooker was named the Walter Camp Offensive Player of the Week. Ironically, a player for another in-state school, Zaylin Wood of the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders, earned Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in helping MTSU beat the Miami Hurricanes 45-31 Saturday.

"Hendon Hooker accounted for 461 yards (349 passing, 112 rushing) and three touchdowns as 11th-ranked Tennessee defeated 20th-ranked Florida, 38-33.  Hooker completed 22-of-28 passes and two touchdowns, while rushing for one more score and 112 yards as the Volunteers improved to 4-0 for the first time since 2016."

AP Poll moves Vols up to No. 8 – APNews.com

For the first time since 2016, Tennessee football is in the top 10 of either poll. However, at 4-0, they moved up three spots to No. 8 in the AP Poll, and that’s their highest ranking in either poll since 2006.

"Keep up to date and view the latest ranking updates each week."

Coaches Poll moves Vols up to No. 9 – USA TODAY

Just like the AP Poll, Tennessee football moved up three spots in the Coaches Poll. However, that only got them to No. 9. They are behind the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Coaches Poll but ahead of them in the AP Poll.

"The USA TODAY Sports AFCA football coaches poll is conducted weekly throughout the regular season using a panel of 64 head coaches at Football Bowl Subdivision schools."

Soccer defeats Kentucky – SECSports

Coming off a loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide last Thursday, the Tennessee Lady Vols soccer team rebounded with a 4-1 win over the Kentucky Wildcats Sunday. Up next for UT is a trip to the Ole Miss Rebels Friday.

"Freshman Kameron Simmonds had a pair of goals, and redshirt-junior Jaida Thomas also put one in the net for Tennessee (6-3-1, 2-1 SEC), while UT got a fourth by way of a Kentucky own goal. Senior Lindsey Romig tallied two saves on the day.Hannah Richardson was the lone goal-scorer for Kentucky (7-4-0, 0-3 SEC)."

Volleyball splits weekend trip to Texas A&M – UT Daily Beacon

On Sunday, the Tennessee Lady Vols volleyball team swept the Texas A&M Aggies on the road in three sets. That followed a loss to A&M in five sets Saturday. UT is now 8-7 on the year and 2-1 in the SEC.

"Tennessee has a 10-day break before hosting No. 12 Florida on Wednesday, Oct. 5. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and can be streamed on ESPN2."

Women’s tennis wraps up Wolfpack Invitational – UTSports

The Tennessee Lady Vols tennis program wrapped up their first event of the fall on Sunday. UT went 3-3 in doubles play and 4-6 in singles play at the four-day Wolfpack Invitational, which took place in Cary, N.C. and was hosted by the North Carolina State Wolfpack.

"With the first event in the books, the busy fall schedule gets underway as another group of Lady Vols travel to Hilton Head, South Carolina for the Hilton Head ITF 15K, slated to begin Monday at the Shipyard Van Der Meer Racquet Club."

SEC Fall Preview underway – UTSports

With two days left in the event, the Tennessee Vols men’s golf team finished the first day of the SEC Fall Preview in third place at 23-under par. Jake Hall, Lance Sampson and Bryce Lewis are all in the top 10 on the individual leaderboard.

"Hall led the charge for Tennessee, shooting 8-under for the day on Sunday—3-under in round one and 5-under in round two. The Knoxville native is in fourth place and just two strokes out of the individual lead entering round three after making 13 birdies—tied for the most in the 70-man field—over the first two rounds."