Josh Heupel shares key to strong red zone offense

Every single time Tennessee has found itself in the red zone this season, they’ve scored.

Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel discussed his team’s red zone success this season and how it’s translated to Tennessee’s 6-0 start to the season.

“First, good players. And then the ability to execute. Take the plan, adjust to what they’re seeing during the course of the game,” Heupel said Thursday. “Decision making by Hendon (Hooker) first and foremost, when you’re throwing the football. Competitive catches out on the outside. The skill guys all being on the same page.

“The ability to run the football. We’ve continued to be more and more efficient in that. So you put all those things together, that has allowed us to be more efficient with the football in the red zone. A couple weeks ago there were some things we weren’t as efficient, that we wanted to early in that football game. But that’s a huge part of the game. There’s a huge difference between getting seven and getting three.”

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The Vols (31-of-31) are one of three teams to have a perfect red zone percentage this season, joining Clemson (35-of-35) and Ohio State (29-of-29). Tennessee’s red zone scores are broken up to total 19 rushing touchdowns, 14 passing touchdowns and six made field goals.

The most red zone appearances this season go to one of the Vols’ opponents in the near future – the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs. Kirby Smart’s group has cashed in on 42 of their 43 (97 percent) red zone attempts this season. Those stats can lead one to assume the Tennessee/Georgia matchup on Nov. 5 will be just as high-scoring as the 52-49 Volunteer victory over Alabama.

Tennessee will look to continue their red zone success this Saturday for their homecoming matchup against UT Martin. Kickoff between the Vols and Skyhawks is set for noon ET live from Neyland Stadium. SEC Network will carry the national broadcast.