Jim Mora takes shot at Tennessee after UConn's 59-3 loss to Vols
Tension between No. 19 Tennessee and UConn appeared to start early Saturday morning, when the Vols seemed to take exception to the Huskies warming up on the Vols’ end of Shields-Watkins Field a couple hours before kickoff at Neyland Stadium.
Video showed UConn players having to be separated from those on the Tennessee side, including head coach Josh Heupel.
Then, after Tennessee’s 59-3 Homecoming win, Heupel and UConn head coach Jim Mora quickly went through a postgame handshake on the field, with neither coach stopping to exchange words.
Heupel was asked about the situation during his postgame press conference, but didn’t go into detail.
“I don’t know what I did on the back end of the handshake,” he said, “but you know, they got a good football team that’s played extremely hard and they’ve lost a lot of close, close ball games.”
Mora appeared to take a shot at the Vols with the opening statement of his postgame press conference.
“The only thing I can say,” Mora said, “is it was a tough game. I am proud of our guys for the class that they showed on that football field before, during and after the game.”
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Tennessee (7-2) finished with 650 yards of total offense and three defensive touchdowns, with Tyler Baron returning a fumble for a score and Jaylen McCollough and Aaron Beasley taking interceptions back for touchdown on consecutive possessions early in the second half.
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UConn (1-8) had just 256 yards of total offense, rushing 28 times as a team for 35 yards. Quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson completed 24 of 40 passes for 218 yards with the two interceptions.
Mora was asked afterward what he took away from the game.
“How far we have to go to be a good football team,” Mora said.
Joe Milton III completed 11 of 14 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns and ran two times for seven yards, including a six-yard touchdown, all in the first half. Nico Iamaleava was at quarterback for two drives in the third quarter, completing 5 of 9 passes for 86 yards, throwing his first career touchdown on a 19-yard pass to tight end McCallan Castles, and running once for 25 yards.
Up Next: No. 19 Tennessee at No. 14 Missouri, Saturday
It was Tennessee’s 14th straight win at home in front of the 11th consecutive home sellout.
The Vols wore their traditional home uniform accented in blue as a tribute to the late Pat Summitt and raised money for Alzheimer’s awareness with the sell of commemorative cups in stadium while the Vols hosted UConn, a longtime rival of the women’s Tennessee basketball program.
“I appreciate the crowd,” Heupel said. “Awesome atmosphere for homecoming. All the alumni that came back, former players. Really the last 48 hours in our building has been awesome to see. Seen a lot of people back. I appreciate everyone coming.
“UConn was really special to coach (Pat) Summitt. Playing in that type of game is a unique opportunity to honor her a little bit, also with Alzheimer’s awareness. I appreciate everyone supporting that cause.”
