Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel seemed almost offended at his weekly press conference – or, at least, amused.
“That’s laughable to me, to be honest,” Heupel said when asked about his running game and defense winning a game, which could silence any critics that have labeled him as a pass-happy coach. “You look at our ability to run the football since we have been here. Statistically…we have always run the ball really efficiently and effectively.”
That’s true. The Vols ranked first in the SEC in rushing yards per game (276.5) and were second in yards per carry (6.14) last season. Does the run set up the pass or vice versa? That depends on which Saturday you’re talking about.
“We have balance and we do create big plays in the pass game, but we create those things in the run game too,” Heupel said. “I was proud of the physicality we played with on the offensive line and our tight ends and running backs played that way too. Same thing on the other side of the football, you look at the way our front seven played at the line of scrimmage and that was a big part of the football game.”
Heupel is right, well, partly so. For those that think Tennessee’s offense relies on big plays in the passing game to survive, they haven’t been watching the Vols since Heupel was named head coach following the 2020 season. However, critics of Tennessee’s defense have had a point in recent years. There have been times in which the Vols’ defense led the way to a victory, but probably not as many times as Heupel would like. That could – and should – change this season as the Vols appear to have an elite defense intact.
Tennessee’s defense held North Carolina State to three offensive points while giving up just 143 yards, three sacks and 13 tackles for a loss. It was a dominant performance against a quality – or at least ranked – opponent, which hasn’t often been the case in recent years, especially in the secondary where the Vols have given up more than their share of big plays in the passing game.
“We want to play with an aggressive mentality,” Heupel said. “I want our coaches to call it aggressive, let our players go make plays, put them in the position to make plays.”
Some have wondered aloud how James Pearce Jr., is playing. He only had one tackle against the Wolfpack, 1/2 a tackle for a loss and two quarterback hurries as the Vols played everyone on their team that had even thought about playing on the defensive line in college football.
“He’s played really well,” Heupel said of Pearce. “He’s applied pressure to the quarterback and hasn’t got home (for a sack), but he’s been disruptive. He’s done a really good job in the run game. The other night, he does a great job as a dropper in some of our pressure packages, matching out the skill personnel out in space, so he’s played really well.
“In this game, man you just keep plugging away and stats are stats. At the end of day, it’s about wins and losses and continuing to execute your assignment.”
Pearce only played 10 plays in the Vols’ season-opening win against Chattanooga and was often dropping into coverage. However, it seems just a matter of time until he has a breakout game statistically by breaking into the opponent’s backfield. As good as Pearce may be in pass coverage, he’s better at rushing the quarterback. It’s worth noting that Kent State has given up six sacks in two games, which is tied for 113th in the nation.
