University of Tennessee Athletics
Heupel, #20 Vols Shift Focus To Rivalry Road Tilt at Florida
November 17, 2025 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Fresh off a Homecoming win over New Mexico State, No. 20/20 Tennessee returns to conference play with a major SEC road test under the lights Saturday, traveling to Gainesville to take on rival Florida at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
The Volunteers (7-3, 3-3 SEC) enter the final two weeks of the 2025 season tied for eighth in the SEC standings and are seeking their first win at Florida since 2003. Head coach Josh Heupel stressed urgency and detail in his Monday press conference as his team prepares for another physical rivalry showdown.
"Again, an opportunity to go out on the road, play a team that's playing extremely well," Heupel said. "Lots of close ball games, but a rivalry game here and sure it'll be a great atmosphere down in Gainesville. It's a football game that is always physical and won in the details of the game, turnover margin, got to go play extremely well in all three phases."
Heupel emphasized that this year's team must focus solely on the present opportunity as UT heads to the Swamp.
"One play doesn't have anything to do with the next and the previous trip down to Gainesville doesn't have anything to do with it," Heupel said. "Got to prepare the right way, got to practice the right way, and you're going to have to go play extremely well in this one."
Full comments from Heupel's Monday press conference can be viewed below.Tennessee Football Press Conference | Nov. 17, 2025
Opening statement…
"Good afternoon. Just wanted to start by saying to Rick Russo and to his family that we miss you and our thoughts and prayers are with you. He's been a mainstay around here for a long time, long before I got here too. Everybody's thinking about you.
"Again, an opportunity to go out on the road, play a team that's playing extremely well. Lots of close ball games, but a rivalry game here and sure it'll be a great atmosphere down in Gainesville. It's a football game that is always physical and won in the details of the game, turnover margin, got to go play extremely well in all three phases."
On if he regrets giving Boo Carter a second chance after camp…
"No, not regretful. At the end of the day, it's our job as coaches to try to help these guys and that's part of the commitment that you make in the recruiting process and when they decide to come. You know, sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. At the end of the day, we're moving forward."
On the losing streak in Gainesville and if he talks to the team about it…
"Yeah, we talked about it today briefly. I showed a video of just the rivalry and great players and great moments and what it takes to go win in this game, ultimately. This is a great game and it's going to be a great stage. One play doesn't have anything to do with the next and the previous trip down to Gainesville doesn't have anything to do with it. Got to prepare the right way, got to practice the right way and you're going to have to go play extremely well in this one. You look at the losses that they've had, in particular here lately, it's been tight football games against really good football teams in neutral site or road games, so it's going to take our best on Saturday night."
On how he factors in what has been working recently when game planning for Gainesville…
"You know, it's going to be a great environment. You're playing great competition. It's a typical Florida football team, and you just look at the size on the line of scrimmage, the athleticism that they have at the skill positions. You have to go play a complete football game in this one."
On what has been leading to interceptions thrown by Joey Aguilar…
"Every one of them is probably a little bit different. The other night, he anticipates a guy that he's throwing to to keep coming to meet the football, he gets hit on one. I already said it, but we have to take care of the football in this game. You can't give them short fields, can't give them points and not give yourself an opportunity to continue to move the football."
On how Jesse Perry has progressed at the guard position…
"I think, in general, Jesse feels good about playing inside. He's felt that way. When David (Sanders Jr.) was gone, all of his work came out at the tackle position. I think a week or two of work back on the inside has let him get back to the true comfort that he has there."
On the depth of the tight ends…
"I like the development of that room. You know, Ethan (Davis) was gone in the middle part of the season for four weeks, I think it was. I feel good about where he's at, and our young tight ends have continued to develop. I feel good about those guys."
On what Ethan Davis has done well since returning from injury…
"Yeah, playing well in the pass game, but been physical (and) assignment sound in the run game. The other night I thought he played extremely well in the run game."
On what stands out about Florida's offense...
"Big and physical up front. All the eye candy before the snap, a lot of shift trade motion, formation of the boundary, and tackle oversets. Play with discipline, you got to communicate, you got to adjust, you got to tie all three levels of the defense together. That's in the run game, your fits, but also in pass defense as well. Got playmakers out on the outside, running back is a really, really good player."
On Ty Redmond winning SEC Freshman of the Week and how he's improved since the beginning of the year...
"Yeah, true for every young guy, just continues to get better every single week. That's fundamentals and technique, it's understanding what we're doing schematically, more time on task against competition on the other side of the football and just continues to raise his level of play."
On first half offensive lulls...
"It's never just one thing. The turnovers have been a part of that the last couple weeks, as well. And that comes down to all 11 doing their job at a really high level."
The Volunteers (7-3, 3-3 SEC) enter the final two weeks of the 2025 season tied for eighth in the SEC standings and are seeking their first win at Florida since 2003. Head coach Josh Heupel stressed urgency and detail in his Monday press conference as his team prepares for another physical rivalry showdown.
"Again, an opportunity to go out on the road, play a team that's playing extremely well," Heupel said. "Lots of close ball games, but a rivalry game here and sure it'll be a great atmosphere down in Gainesville. It's a football game that is always physical and won in the details of the game, turnover margin, got to go play extremely well in all three phases."
Heupel emphasized that this year's team must focus solely on the present opportunity as UT heads to the Swamp.
"One play doesn't have anything to do with the next and the previous trip down to Gainesville doesn't have anything to do with it," Heupel said. "Got to prepare the right way, got to practice the right way, and you're going to have to go play extremely well in this one."
Full comments from Heupel's Monday press conference can be viewed below.
Tennessee Football Press Conference | Nov. 17, 2025
Head Coach Josh Heupel
Opening statement…"Good afternoon. Just wanted to start by saying to Rick Russo and to his family that we miss you and our thoughts and prayers are with you. He's been a mainstay around here for a long time, long before I got here too. Everybody's thinking about you.
"Again, an opportunity to go out on the road, play a team that's playing extremely well. Lots of close ball games, but a rivalry game here and sure it'll be a great atmosphere down in Gainesville. It's a football game that is always physical and won in the details of the game, turnover margin, got to go play extremely well in all three phases."
On if he regrets giving Boo Carter a second chance after camp…
"No, not regretful. At the end of the day, it's our job as coaches to try to help these guys and that's part of the commitment that you make in the recruiting process and when they decide to come. You know, sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. At the end of the day, we're moving forward."
On the losing streak in Gainesville and if he talks to the team about it…
"Yeah, we talked about it today briefly. I showed a video of just the rivalry and great players and great moments and what it takes to go win in this game, ultimately. This is a great game and it's going to be a great stage. One play doesn't have anything to do with the next and the previous trip down to Gainesville doesn't have anything to do with it. Got to prepare the right way, got to practice the right way and you're going to have to go play extremely well in this one. You look at the losses that they've had, in particular here lately, it's been tight football games against really good football teams in neutral site or road games, so it's going to take our best on Saturday night."
On how he factors in what has been working recently when game planning for Gainesville…
"You know, it's going to be a great environment. You're playing great competition. It's a typical Florida football team, and you just look at the size on the line of scrimmage, the athleticism that they have at the skill positions. You have to go play a complete football game in this one."
On what has been leading to interceptions thrown by Joey Aguilar…
"Every one of them is probably a little bit different. The other night, he anticipates a guy that he's throwing to to keep coming to meet the football, he gets hit on one. I already said it, but we have to take care of the football in this game. You can't give them short fields, can't give them points and not give yourself an opportunity to continue to move the football."
On how Jesse Perry has progressed at the guard position…
"I think, in general, Jesse feels good about playing inside. He's felt that way. When David (Sanders Jr.) was gone, all of his work came out at the tackle position. I think a week or two of work back on the inside has let him get back to the true comfort that he has there."
On the depth of the tight ends…
"I like the development of that room. You know, Ethan (Davis) was gone in the middle part of the season for four weeks, I think it was. I feel good about where he's at, and our young tight ends have continued to develop. I feel good about those guys."
On what Ethan Davis has done well since returning from injury…
"Yeah, playing well in the pass game, but been physical (and) assignment sound in the run game. The other night I thought he played extremely well in the run game."
On what stands out about Florida's offense...
"Big and physical up front. All the eye candy before the snap, a lot of shift trade motion, formation of the boundary, and tackle oversets. Play with discipline, you got to communicate, you got to adjust, you got to tie all three levels of the defense together. That's in the run game, your fits, but also in pass defense as well. Got playmakers out on the outside, running back is a really, really good player."
On Ty Redmond winning SEC Freshman of the Week and how he's improved since the beginning of the year...
"Yeah, true for every young guy, just continues to get better every single week. That's fundamentals and technique, it's understanding what we're doing schematically, more time on task against competition on the other side of the football and just continues to raise his level of play."
On first half offensive lulls...
"It's never just one thing. The turnovers have been a part of that the last couple weeks, as well. And that comes down to all 11 doing their job at a really high level."
Players Mentioned
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