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Tennessee football HC Josh Heupel issues demand after tough injury blow to starter
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- Tennessee football HC Josh Heupel issues demand after tough injury blow to starter
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Tennessee football has one game left until it welcomes in No. 1 Texas and begins an always taxing SEC slate. This is a time for preparation and honing, but the squad is instead forced to adjust its offensive blueprint. Senior tight end Ethan Davis suffered a season-ending ACL tear in last Saturday's 45-24 victory at Georgia Tech, leaving the offense with a key red-zone target to replace. Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel expects his players to rise above the adversity.
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"Yeah, this game requires the next guy up," he said, per Caleb Sisk of Tennessee Volunteers On SI. "You've heard me talk about that. Our team's heard that too. You've got to be prepared for when your opportunity arises. And the next guy and multiple guys have to step up in that role."
"I hate it for Ethan- the work that he put into it, the growth of the person and the player, that the season is cut short. But the next guy's got to be prepared and take advantage of their opportunity. You've seen a lot of those guys play already this year. They just got to continue to grow and step into that role."
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Heupel is doing exactly what he needs to following this brutal injury news. The Vols cannot sulk. They must play with self-belief, otherwise their College Football Playoff ambitions will quickly disintegrate.
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Ethan Davis will be missed, though. The 6-foot-5 native of Atlanta, Georgia posted three receptions for 43 yards and two touchdowns through Tennessee's first two games. He has never loaded up the stat sheet, due in part to all the injury troubles he has endured during his time in Knoxville. Davis was developing noticeable chemistry with freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon , but now he will have to go back on the shelf.
Tennessee football must pivot and find other ways to refine its passing attack. Josh Heupel can use Saturday night's matchup versus Kennesaw State to perfect some of the details.
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