Everything Tennessee Football HC Josh Heupel Said Following Loss to Alabama Football

Josh Heupel met with reporters following the loss in Tuscaloosa.

Oct 18, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel reacts in the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images | Gary Cosby-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

The 2025 edition of the 'Third Saturday in October' resulted in a winning effort for the Alabama Crimson Tide as they defeated Tennessee 37-20 in Tuscaloosa.

Tennessee football's head coach Josh Heupel spoke to the media following the loss.

Josh Heupel's Opening Statement

Oct 18, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel looks on in the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images | David Leong-Imagn Images

"Disappointing result. Ultimately, offensively, just self-inflicted wounds in the first half, killed a bunch of our drives. Positive is the way they came out and competed early in the second half. The defense gets a stop; offense goes to score. Turnover, we don't take advantage of. Self-inflicted wounds on that possession again. But again, you're playing a good team, man. The details are gonna matter. We lost in the details tonight. Ultimately, that's my responsibility, our responsibility, players and coaches together."

The Play Before Halftime and Second Half Response

"I said it was gonna be a twelve-round fight in this one. Um, they're a good football team. So, no matter how it starts. Gotta continue to fight. Our guys did that. Just, again, ultimately not on the right side of it in the details. End of the first half, nine seconds, no timeouts. You're left with a decision. Do you want two opportunities or one? So, got a little play action, and he (Joey Aguilar) leaves the ball inside a little bit, and it goes back for six. Big play in the football game for sure. But again, how you come out and fight, defense gets a stop. Offense scores. After the turnover, we've gotta do something with that. We've got a chance to change that game."

Was The Final Play of the First Half Predicable?

"Yeah, I mean they (Alabama) understand the situation as well and you got a one-two read and ultimately, we've gotta be on the right side of it. It's you know, it's there, it's not, we gotta be accurate with the ball. If it's not, throw it away, we've got one more play. That's not me putting it on Joey, either. It's all of us."

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