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Josh Heupel sets standard for Tennessee’s defense amidst TD-less streak
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Josh Heupel knows his offense at Tennessee can be a lot of fun. However, he’s not running from the defensive standard that the Vols are aiming for.
On Saturday, Tennessee blasted NC State in blow out fashion, piling up over 450 yards of offense in the 51-10 rout. While the Wolfpack did score a touchdown, that score came on a pick-6 off of Nico Iamaleava.
That means the Vols have not allowed an offensive score in 12 quarters of football, dating back to last season. Tennessee ended the 2023 season with a shutout of Iowa in the bowl game.
Speaking with the media after the game, Heupel said that the standard in Knoxville is to have an elite defense. After all, it’s “the home of Reggie White, Al Wilson, Eric Berry.”
"The standard at Tennessee is to be elite on defense. This is the home of Reggie White, Al Wilson, Eric Berry."
– Josh Heupel, whose defense hasn't allowed a TD in 12 quarters (dating back to 2023)
— Adam Sparks (@AdamSparks) September 8, 2024
To be fair, some of the competition in that stretch has not been on par with Tennessee. Iowa has traditionally produced historically anemic offenses in recent history, and the season-opening win came at the experience of an overmatched Chattanooga program.
However, the Week 2 victory was an impressive one over Dave Doeren’s squad. NC State entered as the No. 24 team in the country, and the Vols held the Wolfpack to 143 total yards of offense and just 3-for-12 on 3rd-down conversions.
Tennessee will put its string of quarters without a touchdown up against Kent State next before turning its attention to SEC play.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
