TENNESSEE FOOTBALL was within the abyss.

The soccer program went by six coaches in somewhat greater than a decade, pinballing from Lane Kiffin to Derek Dooley to Butch Jones to Jeremy Pruitt plus two interims. There was little in the way in which of success, minus a pair Jones years that began promising solely to finish with 9-4 data. 

The Pruit period carried the double whammy of little on-field success with plenty of off-field issues within the type of important NCAA violations. Pruitt would finally be hit with a 6-year present trigger and this system acquired 5 years of probation, a $8 million effective, recreation forfeitures and scholarship reductions for 18 Stage 1 violations and 200 infractions in whole. 

“Actually my consideration to athletics right here began with consideration to the issue which is what was happening with our earlier soccer coach,” stated College of Tennessee chancellor Donde Plowman. “That was the start.”

That was what Josh Heupel arrived to in 2021 after going 28-8 whereas at Central Florida. He inherited a Tennessee program that went 3-7 within the final Pruitt 12 months and had misplaced its final 14 video games to Alabama within the Third Saturday in October rivalry. Fan morale was low as Tennessee followers watched rival applications Alabama and Georgia dominate the game. 

Heupel’s first 12 months at Tennessee exceeded the minimal preseason expectations, ending with a constructive file (7-6) and bowl recreation look, however everybody concerned believed they left wins on the desk. In a transition 12 months Tennessee simply wasn’t fairly prepared to interrupt by. 

“We did not have as a lot player-led management and self-discipline,” stated punter Paxton Brooks. “We weren’t disciplined sufficient to win these video games.”

However there have been indicators it could possibly be coming, together with in an Alabama recreation that the Volunteers have been in till the fourth quarter. The offense, led by Heupel and offensive coordinator Alex Golesh, was thrilling and had followers optimistic in regards to the future. Quarterback Hendon Hooker, who transferred in from Virginia Tech, confirmed indicators of being the form of expertise who may information the Volunteers out of the abyss. 

“We bought 17,000 new season tickets going into that 12 months so individuals have been enthusiastic about Josh and the model of play and what that they had seen in 12 months 1 once we completed 7-6,” stated Tennessee athletic director Danny White. “Fundraising was already having some severe momentum going into that season.”

All of it constructed to a wild scene the next 12 months in Knoxville. No. 3 Alabama versus No. 6 Tennessee with each School GameDay and SEC Nation on the town. The town buzzed with anticipation forward of a recreation Tennessee followers desperately needed to win. The ultimate end result exceeded even their wildest expectations. 

To recount the day, CBS Sports activities talked to a bunch of gamers, followers, directors and extra to inform the story of the 2022 Alabama-Tennessee recreation. Observe: All quotes obtained in authentic interviews except in any other case famous. 

The excitement builds in Knoxville

Paul Finebaum (ESPN/SEC Community character): I used to be in Tuscaloosa on that Thursday evening and I joked with the viewers that precisely 40 years in the past as a younger reporter going up there and watching Tennessee upset the No. 2 crew within the nation with Bear Bryant. I requested considerably of a rhetorical query, ‘Can it occur once more?’

Alex Golesh (Tennessee offensive coordinator 2021-22): It had been awhile there since they have been enjoying actually significant video games into October. We had simply come off of beating Florida.

Paxton Brooks (Tennessee punter/holder 2018-2022): It felt like we form of obtained somewhat little bit of weight off our again. After which going into Alabama we knew what a troublesome check it was with their crew…that entire week had a ton of pleasure. 

Golesh: It was a giant, massive recreation. I believe it had at all times been at the back of these youngsters’ minds. 

Heupel (2023 at spring conferences): Historic rival for our program.

Danny White (Tennessee athletic director): I believe school soccer is best when Tennessee is nationally aggressive and these video games in opposition to our rivals like Alabama are extra significant. 

Golesh: The rivalry is actual however it’s been very one-sided. 

Josh Ward (99.1 the Sports activities Animal host): Through the shedding streak, so many Alabama weeks have been about Tennessee followers simply eager to get by the week. It was tough to speak in regards to the Alabama recreation as a result of the Vols have been such massive underdogs that followers did not have an actual perception that Tennessee may win. However in that recreation…followers actually believed that the crew would have an opportunity. 

Chase McGrath (Tennessee kicker 2022-23): Experiencing that 2021 recreation and shedding in Tuscaloosa put a foul style in our mouth. We knew subsequent 12 months with the crew we had, we had an actual alternative to win. There positively was a heightened sense of consciousness across the facility. We have been extraordinarily targeted. As a crew, you understood the implications of that recreation. You understand, each undefeated, School GameDay, there’s potential nationwide championship alternatives for both crew. After which how massive it was for the state of Tennessee to have the chance to beat Alabama for the primary time in 15 years.

Brooks: We knew that Alabama was much more gifted than we have been, however we have been going to work onerous and imagine in each other and imagine that we may do it and play as clear a soccer as we will. And we knew if we did that, we’d have an opportunity to beat anyone within the nation.

Trevor Daniels (Tennessee fan): The day earlier than there was an power within the air round Knoxville that I simply can’t clarify. The ambiance round Knoxville was unbelievable, you could possibly really feel one thing within the air. 

Brooks: I used to be within the locker room Friday earlier than we traveled to the lodge. And I am simply hanging in there and I am speaking to Hendon [Hooker]. And I bear in mind Jalin Hyatt is available in, and so they begin speaking about this play — what performs that Hendon and the coaches have been speaking about that they favored. And naturally, me being a punter, I do not actually know what they’re speaking about. However I simply bear in mind Jalin telling him, ‘If that man crops his foot, or if he comes ahead in any respect, throw it as a result of I’ll run proper by him.’ 

Golesh: It was like all people was a Nick Saban disciple in some form or type. The construction was very related. While you get right into a convention, it takes you a 12 months to determine individuals out and it additionally takes a 12 months for individuals to determine you out. I felt like we stored getting ready for a similar defensive construction over and over. LSU was the identical, Georgia was the identical, in plenty of methods Missouri was the identical, Florida was the identical. We have been 17-18 video games into our tenure there and it felt like, ‘OK, I’ve obtained the solutions.’ Now we now have to go execute, however I’ve obtained the solutions. 

The Friday earlier than Saturday’s dwell SEC Nation broadcast in Knoxville, Baron Miller, a SEC Community coordinating producer, got here to Finebaum with an thought. 

Finebaum: I get there and he says I’ve this loopy thought. Everybody has been burying Tennessee, all the fellows are selecting Alabama, would you take into account selecting Tennessee primarily based on the thought of getting in a coffin? I stated I do not find out about that. He stated we do not wish to let you know who to select and I stated ‘You understand what? Screw it. I am going to decide Tennessee.’ He stated are you positive? I made the choice and he went over the coffin factor however I wasn’t paying that shut of consideration. 

The following day when he noticed the coffin painted in Tennessee orange, the burden of what Finebaum agreed to do started to take maintain. 

Finebaum: There isn’t any template for getting in a coffin. I wasn’t positive easy methods to get in, I used to be form of awkward. After I obtained out, they stated ‘Are you positive you actually wish to do that?’ My antennas went up. They’re saying to themselves this man is in his late sixties, we’ll put him in a coffin however what if he would not get out? I simply knew that is what they have been speaking about. They thought this man would possibly simply die within the coffin, after which I’ll lose my job.

That they had me have a look at Undertaker movies of the entire transfer and I wasn’t positive I used to be actually able to doing that transfer. I spent like 10 minutes finding out it like I’ll performing class. They shut the coffin and that is the second you notice that is pretty severe. 

Jordan Rodgers (SEC Community character): This does not look good for Tennessee followers.

Laura Rutledge (SEC Nation host): Is that this Tennessee in a casket? My goodness. 

Finebaum: I used to be so fired up with adrenaline. It was fairly an exhale as a result of I knew I pulled it off.

White: While you noticed me in my orange jacket pregame, I had a cigar in that pocket. We’re at all times going to be assured. 

Hendon Hooker (Tennessee quarterback 2021-22) to Participant’s Tribune: Anybody who tells you that is simply one other crew, they’re mendacity. Everybody will get up for Bama.

Donde Plowman (College of Tennessee chancellor): I believe that evening, aside from Alabama followers, there have been lots of people on this nation rooting for Tennessee.

The sport itself: A back-and-forth thriller

Brooks: That recreation was principally like a film script.

White: The power was electrical. 

McGrath: Even being from Southern California, I knew in regards to the Third Saturday in October, the cigar recreation, how deep the rivalry runs with Alabama. Nevertheless it did not actually hit me and I did not perceive it till I skilled it and performed there, how passionate the fan bases are and the way intense that rivalry will get.

Hooker: What’s loopy is, Bama was on my dad’s birthday this 12 months. And normally once I ask him what he needs for a birthday current, he is similar to, “I would like y’all to come back in and clear my home,” one thing easy. However this time he did not even attempt it with easy. He simply stated to me, “I want that W for my birthday. I want that win.”

Ward: Tennessee obtained off to an ideal begin partly due to how into it the followers have been. As soon as Tennessee will get a lead early, that place is able to explode.

Tennessee raced out to a 21-7 first-quarter lead as Hendon Hooker linked with Jalin Hyatt for 2 early touchdowns. 

Golesh: We stored seeing the identical construction over and over. You’re feeling such as you’re discovering holes in it. That was going to be the massive piece going into that recreation: Can we get Jalin Hyatt up on these safeties? 

Nick Saban (Alabama head coach 2007-2024): They created plenty of mismatches. 

Malachi Moore (Alabama defensive again 2020-present): I might simply say area, closing area could be the primary factor. That is form of their recreation plan, to get their play-makers in area and attempt to get you outnumbered.

Golesh: Just about each landing we scored with [Hyatt], which was 5 of them, was some form of formulated method to get him in opposition to what we thought was their worst cowl man.

Jalin Hyatt to ESPN: “[That game] most likely modified my life.”

Within the third quarter, after a 60-yard bomb to Hyatt, McGrath took the sphere for the additional level. He missed.

McGrath: Which was the primary time that occurred to me since my freshman 12 months of faculty — 5 years since that occurred to me. I bear in mind Coach Heupel coming over to me on the sidelines to attempt to discuss to me. However I form of had a glance in my eye the place it is not normally how I might have a look at a head coach. I form of let Coach know, Get away from me. I am effective. I used to be not in the most effective temper. He form of realized that. He is like, ‘Oh, you are good.’ As a result of I knew there was gonna be one other alternative.

Brooks: If something, that motivated him. It simply made it extra attention-grabbing.

Heupel: Late third, early fourth, it did not look good. However our guys continued to reset.

Daniels: We had Alabama backed as much as the endzone and there was a foul snap. After the dangerous snap, we nearly sacked Bryce Younger within the endzone. That was the loudest I’ve ever heard Neyland Stadium in my life.

Halfway by the fourth quarter, with the sport tied, Hooker fumbled the soccer, Dallas Turner scooped it up and bumped into the top zone to take the lead. 

Brooks: I bear in mind pondering to myself, like, ‘Oh no. Please do not let it’s one in all these items once more the place we simply form of crumble.’ However Hendon, one of many issues that I actually admired about him as a frontrunner, is I felt like he was at all times cool, calm and picked up. You possibly can inform that the entire crew fed off of that. He got here off the sphere after that, and was similar to, ‘It is no massive deal. Let’s return to work.’

Golesh: Probably the most distinctive factor is that they went to dime the drive after we fumbled. We have been hitting them within the go recreation and so they felt like we have been going to only chuck it up and down. We nonetheless discuss it. That was most likely one in all my prouder moments offensively as a play-caller. They go to dime and also you’re down and the intuition is, ‘Man, we have to go chuck this factor.’ However we ran it seven or eight instances, threw it possibly as soon as and we stayed on tempo the place they could not sub again out of it. We actually drove it down the sphere. 

With the sport tied, Alabama obtained the ball and went on a methodical, 11-play, 43-yard drive, to arrange a 50-yard discipline purpose try with solely 15 second left. 

Daniels: Will Reichard misses the kick and proper then I informed my buddies if we someway handle to get down the sphere and win this recreation, I’ll be the primary rattling one on the sphere.

Golesh: We basically threw two set-up performs. You observe all of them 12 months, beginning in fall camp. You understand you are going to get heavy drop protection, prevent-style drop protection, and they’re basically beaters into these. It was Thursday walkthrough the place we went one set-up play to a different set-up play.

Brooks: I had seen us run so many 2-minute offenses, so many quick-hitters, earlier within the 12 months. So I imagine at that time we’ll win this soccer recreation.

Golesh: Two unimaginable throws, the safety was good. We have been in a position to arrange a manageable discipline purpose. 

Brooks: When he hit that strike to Bru, day trip was known as. If you happen to watch among the movies, Hendon got here off the sphere and stated, ‘That is recreation.”

Saban: Performed approach too tender on the finish to allow them to go down the sphere 50 yards and get in discipline purpose vary.

McGrath: There was some extent the place the sphere purpose crew huddled up earlier than the ultimate kick. It is nearly as if everybody had full confidence that this was our second. I bear in mind (particular groups coordinator) Coach [Mike] Ekeler principally calling his shot, ‘We gained the sport. You are going to make this.’

Brooks: He is no stranger to game-winning kicks. I imply, he hit a recreation profitable kick his freshman 12 months at USC in opposition to Texas. So he is simply a kind of guys. He is very a lot Southern California, laid again, relaxed form of power, which simply provides you this calm confidence.

McGrath: It did not matter if there have been 100,000 individuals within the stands, tens of millions watching.

Brooks: I used to be nervous. I used to be like, ‘Simply catch the ball and put it down.’

McGrath: We’re enjoying Alabama for the primary time to beat them in one million years. You perceive that at the back of your thoughts, however you possibly can’t give it some thought

Brooks: After I heard him hit it, I used to be like, ‘Oh, he simply crushed that.’

Moore: I bear in mind simply listening to the thud — the double thud — and pondering we have been straight. 

Brooks: Individuals suppose he simply form of hit a knuckleball. You may’t bodily hit a ball that approach the place it spins form of sideways. If you happen to watch it on movie, the man tipped it, and he begins to have a good time.

White: Perhaps there was somewhat additional gust of wind that helped that ball get barely over the upright.

Daniels: I noticed the place it peaked and I made a decision at that second to hurry the sphere. I used to be already working on the steps and hopping the fence. 

Brooks: It was meant to be.

Moore: After which it [fell] by.

Brooks: It is uncommon [for a tipped ball] to go in from that a part of the sphere, however it was simply a kind of issues. It was a storybook ending to a storybook recreation. I imply, the defensive lineman was three yards within the backfield and we had our quickest operation time all 12 months. We have been flying. Fortunately we did, in any other case it may have been blocked and the sport may have ended a unique approach.

Finebaum: It is likely one of the most iconic finishes to a soccer recreation I’ve ever seen.

A raucous, smoky occasion begins

In accordance with a report from a Tennessee meteorologist, the celebration actually precipitated the earth to shake. 

McGrath: My first reminiscence was making an attempt to remain upright as a result of all people most likely needed to dogpile on me and I knew if these massive boys jumped on me I could be critically injured. And I see all of the followers working on the sphere and I believe, ‘No matter occurs, I’ve to remain vertical.’ After which abruptly I get lifted up and have a crowd surf second and seeing all people gentle up their cigars and the purpose posts coming down.

Daniels: I used to be one of many first over to the sphere purpose. We have been all leaping up making an attempt to seize the sphere purpose. Cops and safety have been making an attempt to maintain us away from it, however we stored leaping up. Ultimately we obtained it torn down. As we have been snapping the sphere purpose, when it snapped and it fell to the bottom, someone’s cigar ran all the way in which all the way down to my aspect and I obtained actually dangerous burns from that.

Hooker: I’ve by no means felt so proud after a recreation. As quickly because it was over I discovered my dad and mom, and whereas they’re hugging me my mother begins crying these massive previous tears and I am like, “Hey, Mother, come on now. We will not be trying ugly on TV. We gotta tighten up.” And naturally my dad … I simply informed him, “Glad birthday.”

McGrath: The primary three individuals I see are Velus, who was on the town for a bye week, and a man named Daniel, who I performed with at USC, after which Trey Johnson, who was on employees at Tennessee and likewise on employees at USC with us. It was humorous. Through the recreation, once I went to heat up within the web proper earlier than I hit the game-winner, there’s so many individuals on the sideline. It was completely chaotic. And people three guys — Daniel, Velus and Trey — they have been truly by my kicking web and acted as safety guards to clear the realm and ensure I’ve sufficient room to get warmed up. After which I get dropped down within the crowd and for no matter motive, these are the three guys I get dropped down by. They form of acted as safety guards to escort us to the place the households have been sitting.

Brooks: I used to be simply making an attempt to make my approach again to the locker room, and abruptly I get form of a push. The gang form of pushes all collectively. And I am like, ‘What on the planet are simply individuals pushing for?’ I assumed, I assumed they have been making an attempt to push in direction of the locker room. After which I appeared to my proper, and I see the purpose put up going by me, and a pair guys driving the purpose put up. I am like, ‘Oh my gosh, that is the purpose put up proper there.’

White: I used to be on the sphere. I used to be standing proper subsequent to Heath Shuler. He began hugging me and leaping up and down.

Daniels: Being on the sphere in Neyland Stadium is one thing surreal.

White: I had grown males crying and snotting throughout me on the sphere. 

Brooks: It most likely took me 45 minutes to an hour to work by the group of individuals. Individuals hugging you and celebrating with you and taking footage with you. I ran right into a bunch of individuals I knew that I used to be like, ‘What are you doing right here?’ 

McGrath: Bru, he misplaced his helmet in the entire thing. We noticed later there’s some fan strolling together with his helmet down Cumberland.

Golesh: It takes like 15 seconds to get from the field all the way down to the sphere. Once we obtained down there on the sphere, it was already like half full. I noticed my spouse and kiddos and simply stood there with them and embraced the second.

Plowman: It was a kind of moments the place you see grown males crying and so they’re with their grandchildren crying. It was a fantastic factor.

Golesh: You see the smoke lit up within the stadium, they’re enjoying Dixieland Delight and I nonetheless get goosebumps fascinated with it. 

White: I positively did not perceive how significant it might be for followers till the scene afterward. The emotion, the pent-up frustration of shedding to 1 crew for thus lengthy. I did not undergo that so I did not perceive it as nicely till after I skilled that.

McGrath: I stated, ‘I am going to enter the locker room.’ In order that they open the door, and it is like a fog machine, proper? All this smoke comes bellowing out, and there is similar to 600 individuals in there. 

Golesh: I’ve an image of my kiddos with Peyton Manning within the locker room after the sport and everybody has cigars. I bear in mind Hawk, the gear man, gave me a cigar on the way in which in and I assumed, that is going to be the sweetest cigar I smoke in awhile.

Heupel: I smoked it sluggish, however it was dang good.

Brooks: The locker room was stuffed with present gamers, former gamers, recruits, members of the family. I did not even know Peyton was in there. It was mayhem.

Golesh: After I obtained house, that cigar, no matter was left of it, was sitting in my cup holder. My spouse grabbed it and for Christmas I obtained an image of the stadium from exterior the place it appears to be like like cigar smoke from throughout the river and he or she’s obtained that cigar butt on the backside glued on to the body. It is a actually cool image.

Golesh, already a scorching teaching candidate, deservedly earned platitudes and a focus following the win over Alabama. He liked his time at Tennessee and had little curiosity in leaving Knoxville earlier than changing into South Florida’s head coach. He nonetheless thinks again fondly on that evening. 

Golesh: While you peel again all of the loopy shit that is happening in our career, when the lights come on and also you’re getting to teach in that setting, that is what you reside for. 

Plowman: Everybody talks about that evening we beat Alabama as possibly one of many best nights of their life. It meant a lot to the college, its alums and, truthfully, your entire state. It modified the way in which we carried ourselves.

Finebaum: You watch the top of the sport and the whole lot about it was simply spectacular. It additionally felt like the start of the top of Nick Saban.

Daniels: I’ve at all times had it good … however that day, that 24 hours, is tough to beat.

Randy Boyd (College of Tennessee president) on how a lot effective will value: It would not matter, we’ll do that yearly.

Plowman: I used to be going to get the decision from Commissioner Sankey the subsequent day in regards to the effective. I most likely felt the identical approach as Randy however I wasn’t going to say it on a videotape. 

Daniels: One in all my favourite components of carrying the goalposts was taking place the strip and stopping visitors for an hour. The people who have been making an attempt to order meals, most have been celebrating however there have been just a few who hated sports activities and mad that their orders have been taking lengthy. They have been honking at us, making an attempt to get us out of the way in which, and a few have been genuinely mad. I liked it.

McGrath: Probably the most wonderful fan base in school soccer. A girl went into labor that evening and gave delivery the subsequent morning to her child, Heidi Chase. My girlfriend and I’ve talked to the household through the years. We went to Disneyland collectively in California and I will be assembly with them once I go to the Bama recreation. They even despatched me pins with my face and their daughter’s face on it, and so they say Chase².

Daniels: As soon as we threw it within the river, everyone seems to be videoing and we watched it float possibly 20 yards or so and we have been like, ‘Wait a second. We are able to noticed this factor up and preserve it.’ About 4 or 5 of us swam out, retrieved it after which these guys stated to take it again to a fraternity and we will lower it up. We met up the subsequent day, sawed it up and all of us obtained a couple of six or seven inch piece. Ben (Gleason) nonetheless labored for the soccer program and knew Chase McGrath. On the finish of the season, we took it over to his home, had him signal our items after which we gave him his personal piece.

Clearly, McGrath stated, you do not need your kick to get deflected in any approach. However on this case, he is grateful as a result of there are not any nets in Neyland Stadium and a clear hit would have despatched a bit of historical past into the stands the place “some fan would take it house prefer it was Shohei Otani’s 50/50 ball.” Because it was tipped, it landed within the discipline of play the place Tennessee’s gear managers rapidly scooped it up, threw it within the ball bag and obtained off the sphere.

McGrath: So once I ended up getting the ball again to me, the specialists, we had all of those HD photographs as a result of there have been one million angles of that kick. And the primary ball I obtained, once I checked out it, it was not the ball I kicked within the photographs. 

So I grabbed the ball they gave me and stated [to the equipment managers], ‘Hey guys, so we appeared on the photographs and this is not the ball I kicked. It is fully effective. If you happen to guys wish to preserve it, whoever has it, I do not wish to, like, trigger any points, and I fully perceive. You guys preserve the ball. I recognize it. I simply don’t need this ball as a result of this isn’t the ball I kicked.’ And so they have been like, ‘No, Chase, we promise that wasn’t it. You guys can come check out the ball bag.’

So there have been about six balls we pulled out. The managers, the fellows who caught it, just a few of them had their private telephone cameras. As a result of they have been recording it, and you could possibly see them catch it and see the ball an inch away from their digicam. And every ball has all these markings. The Energy T has completely different fadings. The dimples on the aspect of the ball, there’s completely different markings that have been on there. They’re like, ‘Dude, it is one in all these within the bag.’ And all of us form of obtained collectively, all of the specialists and some gear managers and held out all these completely different photographs and angles and located the ball that matched it up completely. 

And they also let me go house with the ball. [Laughs] We simply needed to confirm. We have been in a position to get picture proof, so it is all good. 

Postscript: The aftermath

Plowman: It had enormous results on the college. Our admissions of us informed us that inside 24 hours, 2,000 functions from out-of-state dropped instantly.

Finebaum: When Tennessee gained, the (coffin) factor form of metastasized by way of viral hits. It turned a part of the feel of the weekend. 

Brown: I believe it is form of propelled our program ahead and the whole lot, recruiting, after which letting our guys have the arrogance to exit and simply play free and and know that, we have executed it to allow them to do it too.

Plowman: One of many issues that is occurred right here – and I believe beating Alabama is a bit of it – but additionally plenty of different issues. The College of Tennessee has turn out to be a vacation spot school, for each 17 year-old within the nation it appears has Tennessee on their listing now. That is an ideal factor for the college, for the state. This fall we had near 60,000 functions for the freshman class. That is loopy numbers.

Ward: That was the sport that proved to any Tennessee fan that was nonetheless ready to see one thing to imagine. Beating Alabama, ending the shedding streak, doing that to a Nick Saban crew, obtained each Tennessee fan on board.

White: I felt like I made the proper resolution bringing Josh right here the day I made that call and proceed to really feel that approach. To make use of the time period validate, that validation comes extra from what I see occurring each day in our soccer program and the way in which that he is constructing it.

Following the win over Alabama, Tennessee went as much as No. 1 within the rankings forward of one other massive rivalry recreation, this time in opposition to Georgia. Hooker suffered a torn ACL in opposition to South Carolina, and the Volunteers in the end completed 11-2 and No. 6 within the nation. 

Ward: There was a big sufficient proportion of Tennessee followers at that time that did not even know what Tennessee being again meant. Followers who had grown up listening to about how good Tennessee was however by no means truly noticed it themselves that was the primary time they noticed it. 

White: I nonetheless do not suppose we’re back-back. We have now plenty of work to do. You may’t construct one in all, if not the most effective, athletic departments within the nation in a single day. We will not do this with out our soccer program being one of many very elite within the nation. 

Hooker: We knew if we really needed to plant that flag for this program, we needed to beat one crew.

White: That was a particular season, we had an ideal 12 months, however as you realize, bringing a soccer program again is a couple of knowledge level of 1 recreation and even one season. 

Alabama returns this weekend to Knoxville for the primary time since 2022. Finebaum and SEC Nation will once more be in Knoxville forward of No. 7 Alabama versus No. 11 Tennessee, although do not anticipate a return of his Paul-bearers. 

Finebaum: I am in Dallas this 12 months for SEC Media Days and I am strolling within the hallway and run straight into Josh Heupel. Somebody in one of many TV rooms confirmed him the coffin deal. He had by no means seen it. He stated that was hilarious, that was unbelievable. It doesn’t matter what you do, you realize you are most likely not ever going to prime it.

White: I believe Josh has executed an exceptional job constructing it the proper approach. I believe it may be an ideal recreation. Having Alabama right here is at all times particular. It is one of the crucial historic rivalries in all of faculty soccer. 

Plowman: That loss (in opposition to Arkansas) was actually disappointing, however 5 years in the past, I believe I might have heard, ‘Oh that is it, we’re executed, we’re not that good.’ I do not see that now. It is OK we’ll beat Florida after which Alabama’s coming right here and we’ll beat them once more. There is a distinction in individuals’s confidence ranges.

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