Vols’ Huepel goes silent after question on defense
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Through their five wins and two losses heading into Saturday night’s game at Kentucky, the Tennessee Volunteers had ranked as one of the more menacing defensive teams in the country.
The lost-yardage stops were not nearly as abundant against the Wildcats, who amassed 444 total yards, including 373 through the air by Devin Leary.
Tennessee had averaged four sacks per game but only got one Saturday, with Omarr NormanLott collecting that early in the third quarter. The Vols also had just two quarterback pressures and four total lost-yardage stops.
“You’ve got to give it to Kentucky,” Tennessee senior defensive tackle Omari Thomas said. “They’ve got a good offensive line. They blocked really well, and they played together. They just kind of threw us off a little bit as far as us getting our pressures and things.
“We just continued to play hard, and we’re enjoying the outcome. We’ll get back to it and find new things to affect the quarterback more and get back to what we do.”
Thomas elaborated on the topic significantly more than Vols coach Josh Heupel, who remained in silence when asked what Kentucky did to reduce Tennessee’s sacks, tackles for loss and hurries.
After nine seconds, Heupel said, “OK, next question.” Heupel stayed silent for 15 seconds after last weekend’s loss at Alabama when he was asked about the officiating.
“You’ve got to give it to Kentucky. They’ve got a good offensive line. They blocked really well, and they played together. They just kind of threw us off a little bit as far as us getting our pressures and things.” — TENNESSEE SENIOR DEFENSIVE TACKLE OMARI THOMAS