University of Tennessee Athletics
#14/13 Vols Focused on the Details Against No. 1 Texas
September 22, 2026 | Football
Tennessee tight ends coach Alec Abeln said the Vols' preparation against Texas' front has centered on the fundamentals.
"I think there's no question in this league you're going to see fronts that have really good players, play with technique, play with physicality," Abeln said. "It'll be about the details, it'll be about their first steps, it'll be about their hand placement."
Abeln said the experience gained through Tennessee's first three games has helped the tight ends prepare for the increased demands of conference play.
"As much as you've drilled it, as much as you practice it, it's different when you're out there," Abeln said. "The more real snaps you get under your belt, the more you feel real speed of a game, the more you understand what it takes mentally and emotionally to be present one play at a time."
Defensively, Tennessee co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Anthony Poindexter said the Longhorns will present a new challenge for the Vols' secondary, particularly in the vertical passing game.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning and wide receivers Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo headline a talented passing attack that Poindexter said will test Tennessee's defensive backs in ways they have not yet experienced this season.
"This would be the first week I think our secondary will be challenged on the vertical ball, so we're getting ready to play," Poindexter said.
Poindexter also praised the continued development of junior safety Dejuan Lane, who has emerged as a key contributor.
"He understands me and what I want from him," Poindexter said. "He gets into the game, and he's just playing with better pace and better patience. He's actually just doing what the defense asks him to do."
Video and a transcript of Tuesday's press conference can be seen below.
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Secondary Coach Anthony Poindexter
On what he's seen from Texas QB Arch Manning…
"Well first off, he's experienced, he has high-end talent, can run, can throw, a really talented player. And obviously with the receivers they have, he's got real targets, tight ends, running backs. So, they'll be a big challenge. This would be the first week I think our secondary will be challenged on the vertical ball, so we're getting ready to play."
On developing depth at safety heading into conference play…
"You know, we're doing things to try to build depth, moving some pieces around a little bit, but we just have to keep bringing the young players along, guys that have been in the room, they just have to keep coming along so we can have their depth. It's a long season, so we know injuries are going to happen, and we just have to keep building it through practice."
On focusing on film rather than a player's name or reputation…
"I can't say that, per se, but you know it's just another game. The kids have to understand, yes he has a talent and he's a quarterback, but he and his uncle, he and his dad, you know, he's Arch. I know he feels that way, and you know you watch the tape, the tape speaks for his play. He's a great player, so he'll be a challenge and I hope that our guys are up for it."
On determining whether younger players are ready to be trusted with more game reps…
"Well, it starts with practice and watching them and seeing if they know what they're doing, making the calls, how comfortable they are in this environment. And then sometimes you just have to roll on faith man. You know, my coach rolled on faith when he first put me in. But it was through what I was doing in practice, and I watched what they do in practice, and once I feel comfortable that they are doing it in practice the right way, they'll go in the game."
On the keys to a strong red zone defense…
"Like Coach (Jim Knowles) always says, 'give us an inch, we'll defend it'. So, I think our kids are creating that mentality of we don't want people to score touchdowns on us. You know, it's just a mentality once you get down to the red zone, obviously you don't want it to get to the red zone, but when you get down there, you're trying to hold them to a field goal or no points."
On what he likes about Qua Moss and what he can improve on…
"Well, you know, we all can improve as players each week. You know, you watch the tape, but you watch Qua Moss play, he's just a football player man. He plays with energy, plays with passion, he's tough, he's all over the field, he doesn't have any regard for his body. So, as just a football fan myself, you're watching him play, and you're like this kid knows how to play football and that's the way you want people to play football."
On what stands out about Texas WRs Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo…
"What doesn't stand out about them? They have a fantastic group. They have length, they have speed, they're fluid in their movements. They have the whole route tree they can run against you. And they're comfortable with their quarterback, so when you watch them on tape, they look like a real operation. So, it'll be a challenge."
On Dejuan Lane's impact translating to Saturday versus Texas…
"Obviously, I was with him (at Penn State), I've been with him, I recruited him. To watch his growth, I guess I'm happy to see how he's growing coming down here. He took his bumps and bruises the last two years, and finally I think he's starting to understand the system. It's his second year in this system. He understands me and what I want from him. He gets into the game, and he's just playing with better pace and better patience. He's actually just doing what the defense asks him to do. So, I'm proud of how he's playing, and hopefully he continues to play this way."
On how TJ Metcalf's experience can help in a game like Texas…
"You look at all of our guys in the secondary, all the starters, they have all played in big games, so it isn't going to be a big game shock to them. Like we say, it's the next game on the schedule. You just have to play the opponent that you face on Saturday and play to your best and try to win the game."
On how Tevis Metcalf creates more depth and flexibility at defensive back…
"It's been great to see his growth from the time that he got here to where he's at now. He really flashes in the games, and he does give us some flexibility to move him around a little bit. He's a smart kid. Like we said, we're just trying to figure out who we got, who we can use and where we can use them."
On what he is curious to learn about his secondary this weekend…
"Knock on wood, so far in three games the ball hasn't really been flying over our heads. As a secondary coach, the fastest way they score points is deep balls, so you just have to play good defense. At the same time, you don't want your kids to play scared either. We want to attack, we want to be aggressive, which our kids have been doing. Just playing within the scheme. There are challenges, because they have more vertical throws in their offense than the three teams we've played so far, but we're just going to do our job and try to keep the ball in front."
On being aggressive in run support along with playing coverage…
"It's in all of it. It just depends on the defensive call, whether we're in the run support in the secondary or when we're not in the run support. We want to play a tough brand of football, an old school brand. Tackle hard, play hard, and that's just in everything. Whether it's being in coverage or being in the run fit, we just want to play hard."
Tight Ends Coach Alec Abeln
On facing Texas' competitive front…
"I think there's no question in this league you're going to see fronts that have really good players, play with technique, play with physicality. I think our unit is no different though, and it'll be about the details, it'll be about their first steps, it'll be about their hand placement. That's really where the difference comes as you play good people and excited about the steps we've taken, excited to see them take another step on Saturday."
On Ethan Davis' leadership role on the team…
"I think there's a lot of things wrong with college football these days. I think Ethan's a great example of what's still good about it. He loves this place, he loves his teammates, he's worked his butt off. He's been extremely loyal, put his head down and grinded. Absolutely sucks that he doesn't get the opportunity to go show his growth this year but could not be more excited to see him back. He'll be better than ever when he gets back."
On growth heading into Texas compared to coming out of week one…
"I think with anything, as much as you've drilled it, as much as you practice it, it's different when you're out there and understanding the more real snaps you get under your belt, the more you feel real speed of a game, the more you understand what it takes mentally and emotionally to be present one play at a time. I think that's the biggest thing, just getting some under your belt as far as it's not your first game out there, it's not your 50th snap out there, it's your 100th snap out there. And I think just having a little bit of confidence and understanding what it feels like, I think is probably the biggest part."
On if there's a plan prior to a player being injured or if you just handle it how it comes …
"I'd say you probably handle them as they come. You don't want to put that negativity in the air going into it. Obviously, in the back of your mind, you know what you can get to with certain guys, what skill set guys have, and as soon as it happens, it's next man up and go put a plan together for those guys. It's pretty collaborative."
On evaluating Luca Wolf after last week's game…
"I thought the two games that he's played in he's done a good job, been physical, been assignment sound. I said earlier, the details in everything, what my first steps look like, what my hand placement looks like. He's far from perfect, but I do think he gives himself a chance to continue to grow each week. One, just knowing what to do and having the right mindset going into play, now it's about cleaning it up, and as he plays more and gets more work, that will continue to improve."
On thoughts about the group without Ethan Davis when they go into 12-personnel…
"Obviously, he's a special player, so I'm not going to sit here and say it doesn't change us a little bit, but I do have a lot of confidence in the guys in the room. Every time Trent Thomas has touched the ball, he's made somebody miss or broken a tackle. I think we all know what (DaSaahn Brame) can do, and same with (Luca Wolf), I think he's talented in space. I don't think there's a huge drop off as far as what we're able to do with it. Obviously, you wish you had E (Ethan Davis), but it's next man up."
On DaSaahn Brame's consistency this season….
"I think that's been the biggest jump from year one to year two for him. I think part of it is really being keen on what you're doing and knowing what your assignment is. But, just approaching every rep as one at a time, and I think he's taking a bunch of steps there."
On the two-point conversion by Luca Wolf and his overall athleticism...
"I hope you guys get an opportunity to see it as this thing goes, but we've got a lot of confidence in him. We know what he can do with the ball in his hands and look forward to getting it to him as many times as we can."
On the group's ability to pass protect...
"I'm glad you brought it up. That's the biggest area for me that we've got to get fixed and get it fixed quickly. It's not big things, it's not inability to, it's little details, it's little angles, it's little hand placements. To me, that's really where you can talk about trust and being able to play. There's nothing that you need trust more than in protection. Certainly, I will be picky on just exactly how that's supposed to look, and there's never really good enough in protection for me but understanding that's a huge area for us to take a step."
On Trent Thomas making plays after the catch after not being used much as a pass catcher at South Alabama...
"Yes and no. I think watching him, you can tell the way he carries the football that he's not a passive runner when he's got it. I think it's a testament to the work that he put in since he got here. I think it's a testament to our strength and conditioning. He moves at a different level than what he was moving last year. I think as he continues to get it more, it's just more confidence with it in his hands."
On DaSaahn Brame's lack of targets...
"It's not a lack of trying. I think there were a couple of looks on Saturday where if the WILL linebacker plays a little different, it's a big one. Goal line set, probably as much on me as on him, where it's got a chance to be a big one. There's opportunities out there, and we're certainly building them for him. Sometimes, that's just the way the progression goes. Sometimes it's the way the coverage dictates. We absolutely want to get the ball in his hands, and I think that'll show. I think production, if you chase production, if you worry about that stuff, it tends to be hard to get. When you just focus on doing your job, I think the production finds you."
On where Drake Martinez and Cole Harrison are in their development...
"Cole really has done a great job being ready at multiple spots. Obviously, we got to play him a little bit on Saturday as well. It's no different than any group. In this league, things can happen real quick. You've got to be ready. You've got to be prepared. And I think he's done a good job mentally staying in it, understanding that when his moment comes, he's got to be prepared to go do it."
