Tennessee Vols morning report: Josh Heupel’s last presser before Kentucky

Tennessee fans cheer during a game between Tennessee and Akron at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.Kns Utvakron0917
Tennessee fans cheer during a game between Tennessee and Akron at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.Kns Utvakron0917 /
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It’s Halloween weekend, and nobody is doing the holiday better than the Tennessee Vols this year. Black uniforms in an orange setting for a night game at Neyland Stadium? You can’t get any better than that, especially with a ranked team coming to town.

Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with a bit more coverage surrounding that Saturday matchup with the Kentucky Wildcats, as one more press conference was held Thursday, which it usually is, to discuss it. However, that’s not the only reason this is an exciting weekend.

Basketball is tipping off with a Friday exhibition. We’ll cover that with a preview on its own later. However, another sport, soccer, reached a huge accomplishment with a win Thursday, and we’ll cover that, while continuing ongoing coverage of a women’s tennis event. We’ll close with cross country and women’s golf previews.

Josh Heupel previews Kentucky one last time – Grant Ramey, GoVols247

Ahead of the Tennessee Vols football team’s matchup with Kentucky, Josh Heupel held one final press conference on Thursday. Here’s a bit of what he said about making sure this isn’t a “trap game” with the Georgia Bulldogs next week.

"“You’re only as good as your next performance. Being able to refocus, regroup and be consistent. What’s been great about this team, the reason it’s one week at a time up to this point, we’ve been able to find a way to be the best team on the field, is their preparation and the way they’ve practiced.”"

Soccer clinches East with win at Vanderbilt – Ken Lay, VolsWire.com

Going winless in their first three games didn’t phase the Tennessee Lady Vols as the season went on, and in the final regular season game of the year, they clinched their third straight SEC East title with a 2-0 win over the Vanderbilt Commodores to finish 11-4-2 and 7-2-1 in SEC play. It was UT’s 10th shutout on the season.

"Lawson Renie scored the game’s first goal in the 49th minute. Taylor Huff was credited with an assist. Huff scored her fourth goal of the 2022 campaign on a penalty kick in the 67th minute."

Women’s tennis wraps up first day of Tennessee Fall Invite – UTSports

The Tennessee Lady Vols tennis team won five singles and two doubles matches on the first day of the Tennessee Fall Invite Thursday. Play resumes Friday and will last through Sunday.

"The evening was chalk-full of drama-packed action from beginning to end. Five tiebreakers were needed to settle matches with three coming in singles action and two on the doubles side."

Cross Country set for SEC Championships – SECSports

On Friday, the Tennessee Vols and Lady Vols Cross Country programs will take part in the SEC Championships. The Ole Miss Rebels are hosting the event.

"Four SEC teams enter the SEC Championships listed among the nation’s top-25 teams according to the most recent rankings released last week. In the women’s rankings, Alabama is ranked seventh, while Arkansas is No. 21. Tennessee is the highest-ranked SEC men’s squad at No. 17, while Alabama is No. 22."

Women’s golf set for Landfall Tradition – UTSports

For their final event of the Fall, the Tennessee Lady Vols golf team heads to Wilmington, N.C., to take part in the Landfall Tradition, hosted by the UNC Wilmington Seahawks. Play begins Friday and will last through Sunday.

"The tournament consists of a three-day, 54-hole event, with 18 holes being played each day. The field consists of 18 teams, including six teams ranked in Golfweek’s top 25."