Josh Heupel sets the record straight on Tennessee tempo offense

Josh Heupel’s up-tempo offense is exactly what the Tennessee program needed. Under Jeremy Pruitt, the highest the Volunteer offense ever ranked was 98th in the nation. Tennessee’s offense ranked as No. 7 in the NCAA in Heupel’s first season with an average of 39.3 points per game.

Heupel discussed the effect his offense has had in Knoxville and on the SEC during SEC Media Days. He says the pace at which they play creates advantages against the defense, especially when they have the lead.

“Tempo is one of the tools that we use to apply pressure to a defense. There’s a lot of things that we use. That’s one of our best and greatest tools, for sure,” said Heupel. “When we’ve been playing from ahead, that four-minute offense is something that we have used different places that I’ve been. We’ve been extremely successful in it. A lot of that stems from the fact that we’re able to rush the football.”

The Volunteers finished in Top 20 in total plays (952) and Top 15 in both yards (6,174) and yards per play (6.49). They also finished ninth overall in yards per game (474.9) and eighth overall in offensive touchdowns (63). Player stats skyrocketed in the new offense. QB Hendon Hooker accounted for over 3,500 yards of offense and 36 total touchdowns. Jabari Small led the Vols in rushing with 796 yards and nine touchdowns while the receiving duo of Velus Jones Jr. and Cedric Tillman totaled over 60 catches, over 800 reception yards, and at least seven touchdowns apiece.

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However, Josh Heupel says the stats aren’t the point of the offense. The effect ball control has on both sides is the real focus. Their offense wears out opposing defenses and keeps opposing offenses on the sideline. Meanwhile, the Vol offense can dominate the clock, put up those numbers while they do it, and, hopefully, come out with victories.

“Guys get caught up in quarterback numbers and wide receivers numbers. At the end of the day it all starts for us in the ability to run the football, control the line of scrimmage,” Heupel said. “We need to play from ahead, then be able to do those things that you’re talking about.”

There’s plenty of buzz on Rocky Top about the start to Josh Heupel’s Tennessee career and where it can go after year one. It caused plenty of problems for Vol opponents, even in the SEC, and could continue to do so moving forward. With Hooker, Small, Tillman and the addition of USC WR Bru McCoy, they’re lined up to be just as potent this fall. Their next step will be making a run in the SEC East with their push towards that starting September 1st against Ball State.