Tennessee’s ‘trench warfare’ crucial in Vols’ 4-0 start

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – In Tennessee’s 43rd game under Head Coach Josh Heupel, the Tennessee offense went over 300 yards of total offense for the 41st time under the Oklahoma legend, as the Vols downed the Sooners 25-15.

Veteran offensive lineman Andrej Karic said the offensive line’s success comes from the team’s mental makeup as much as its physical ability.

“Something to describe us would be smart,” Karic said. “I think a lot of us in the room have played a lot of games, and just kind of seeing how things play out in the midst of a game and being able to make adjustments on the sideline.”

Saturday’s win wasn’t Karic’s first over Oklahoma. The senior began his career at the University of Texas, defeating the Sooners 49-0 in 2022.

“It was a little different kind of going to Oklahoma at their stadium and getting it done,” Karic said of the win, which he experienced previously inside Dallas’ Cotton Bowl Stadium. “It’s still the same feeling, same satisfaction.”

Karic and the Tennessee offensive line attributed its success to facing the Tennessee defensive line in practice daily.

Senior defensive lineman Elijah Simmons said the unit has been building toward the success its currently enjoying, allowing just 1.57 yards per rush, good for second-best in the nation.

”Yeah, honestly, it started in spring ball,” Simmons said. “We just knew from there that as we continue to go on and progress that it’s going to turn over to the field.”

Tennessee will get a week off before returning to action at Arkansas on Oct. 5, it’s an open date Simmons wished were filled with an opponent.

”I rather play every week,” Simmons said.

Can you blame him?

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