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Watch: Josh Heupel's emotional speech in the Tennessee locker room after win at Oklahoma

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey•09/22/24•

GrantRamey

Josh Heupel, Tennessee Football
Josh Heupel, Tennessee Football

NORMAN, Okla. — Josh Heupel delivered an emotional postgame speech in the visiting locker room after No. 6 Tennessee’s 25-15 win over No. 15 Oklahoma Saturday night at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

The game marked Heupel’s return to Oklahoma 10 years after being fired as co-offensive coordinator by former OU coach Bob Stoops, ending a nine-year run as assistant coach for the Sooners. He led the program to a 13-0 record and a BCS national championship in 2000 as a Consensus First Team All-American quarterback.

After the game, Heupel choked back tears as he addressed his team. He given the game ball by Tennessee redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava.

“Yo, yo, yo,” Iamaleava said in a Tennessee Football video posted on social media. “We did this shit for you Coach Heup. This game ball is for you.”

Iamaleava threw a 66-yard touchdown pass to Dont’e Thornton on the final play of the first quarter and Dylan Sampson ran for a 1-yard score late in the second quarter, capping an eight-play, 46-yard scoring drive that featured eight straight runs.

Max Gilbert connected on field goals of 26, 41 and 32 yards. 

Iamaleava completed 13 of 21 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown for Tennessee (4-0) and the Vols ran 52 times for 151 yards and another touchdown on the ground. The Vols came up with a safety while playing four quarters of suffocating defense to get the win. 

Here’s what Heupel told his team after the win:

“Winning on the road is tough. Winning on the road against a good football team is tough. They’re good, okay? We’re going to continue to face better as we go. Played well tonight. Anybody think we played our best tonight? 

“Good teams keep getting better. Keep getting better. I’m proud of the investment, the competitive composure, reset into the next play. Continuing to compete. Man, it’s just us being us, alright? And let’s just keep making us a better version every single day. You guys got me?

“This thing — coming back to Norman was never about me. It as not … but I appreciate you all having a little extra for me. I do. I love you guys, and I really mean that. I’m proud of you and I’m proud of how we’ve grown. Damn. Our best is still out in front of us. One day at a time to just keep getting better. You guys got me? I love it.”

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