Josh Heupel appreciates question about Tennessee’s ‘electric approach’ in the run game
It’s Josh Heupel’s pass game, the one that spreads wide receivers sideline to sideline and attacks defenses vertically with deep shots, that gets most of the attention — and for good reason. Tennessee finished fifth nationally in passing offense in 2022, averaging 326.1 yards per game.
The Vols know how to run the ball, too. They were 26th in rushing a year ago, averaging 199.46 yards per game. The 40 touchdowns they scored on the ground — two more than Heupel’s offense passed for last season — was third highest in college football.
A question about the run game, one of the last questions Heupel faced Thursday at SEC Media Days, certainly got his attention before Tennessee left Nashville.
The question started by referencing Tennessee’s pass game as “one of the sexiest aspects” of the offense, thanks to the emphasis on verticality and going down the field.
“A really underrated aspect is the eclectic approach that you have in that run game,” the reporter continued, “only 12 reps separated your most-run run concept from your sixth. Would you mind elaborating on how having that type of balanced approach on the ground really does help facilitate things on the back end and help things come open?”
“I love your passion and energy for our offense, man,” Heupel answered with a laugh. “Might need to bring you in on the recruiting pitch.”
Josh Heupel: ‘The secret to our sauce is the ability to run the football’
Last season, while Hendon Hooker was in the middle of Heisman Trophy conversations while passing for 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns and just two interceptions, the Vols rolling up rush yards in the background.
Jaylen Wright carried for a team high 875 net yards and had 10 touchdowns. Jabari Small led the team in attempts, with 157 for 734 net yards and 13 touchdowns, another team high on the ground.
Hooker ran 104 times for 430 yards and five touchdowns and freshman Dylan Sampson made his debut with 58 carries for 397 yards of his own.
“I think people get caught up in the perimeter numbers,” Heupel said, “and the quarterback development and the quarterback numbers that are out out there. Everybody that studies it understands that the secret to our sauce is the ability to run the football.”
When Hooker went down with a torn ACL in the November 19 loss at South Carolina, Tennessee bounced back with a 56-0 win at Vanderbilt a week later, rushing for 362 yards and six touchdowns as a team.
The Vols had 124 more and another touchdown on the ground in the 31-14 win over Clemson in the Orange Bowl on December 30.
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Tennessee rushed for 150 or more yards 10 times in 13 games last season and topped 200 yards seven times. The Vols scored multiple rushing touchdowns in 10 of 13 games, too.
Heupel on Thursday credited offensive line coach Glen Elarbee with the consistent numbers on the ground.
“I think we are going on year eight (coaching together) now,” Heupel said, “three different stops. He does an unbelievable job from game plan to fundamentals to teaching overall scheme and concepts on the other side of the ball.”
In 2021, Tennessee finished 12th nationally in rushing, averaging 217.3 yards per game and scoring 30 times on the ground.
“Our guys continue to grow from year 1 to year 2,” Heupel said. “They play synchronized in the tempo that we play at,” Heupel said, “the ability to communicate and get everybody on the same page. Does an unbelievable job. So I appreciate you recognizing all those things.”
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