Tennessee football had an emotional win over Alabama this past Saturday, but has flushed it and is turning its attention to a big-time matchup against South Carolina on the road. Ahead of the game, Vols head coach Josh Heupel spoke on The Mike Keith Show to give his thoughts.

Here’s what he said.

On the defensive line being ‘unselfish’

“Whether it’s run game or pass game, some of the stunts, the twists that you have are designed in a way for you to help your buddy get in position to make the play. And to do that, you’ve got to execute it at a really high level. Sometimes you’re the guy that’s trying to eat up two to get your buddy free. And this group has executed those things at a really high level. That’s why I talk about them playing unselfishly.”

On DT Xavier Gilliam playing so well and still being an unselfish player

“Absolutely. Interior guys helping edges, edges helping interior guys. That group has had a dramatic impact on really every football game. And it’s a credit to those guys that they’re playing in that style consistently. And we’re gonna need that from them this week when we go on the road.”

On what DE Tyree Weathersby is doing well right now

“Playing extremely hard. He does a great job with his hands. He’s got an extremely violent, strong punch. And you see that in the run game. But that’s also played out in his pass rush. But he’s played relentless. Has a sack that I showed our football team on Monday morning of him just being relentless and getting to the quarterback.”

On Weathersby’s development this offseason

“Well, I think he’s probably at his healthiest physically right now. That’s a part of it. But just continued growth in fundamentals. And he’s become a guy that’s doing a really good job leading that unit as far as the defensive line as well.”

On LB Amare Campbell playing every snap

“He’s extremely smart. Has mastered what we’re doing on the defensive side of the football. Has been in it for a couple of years now. But he’s playing with the ability to make tackles. Like, he is a really good tackler. Fundamentally, body position, understanding when it’s time to pull your trigger, using his arms. And he’s great in communication, too. Just some of the subtle things that we do defensively with our front based off of what we’re seeing, he does a really good job of understanding those things and in making sure that we’re all in sync.”

On bringing in CB Kayin Lee

“A guy that through spring ball was starting to pick up on what we were doing defensively. The last third of spring ball took a real jump and continued that through the summer. And that’s why he’s performed the way that he has. He’s got great understanding of what we’re doing defensively, but understanding offensive sets, spacing, what’s the split? And within the scope of our coverage is playing with great eyes, playing with really good fundamentals and technique, and doing a really good job matching things out and playing the ball when it’s in the air.”

On the offensive jump from Arkansas to Alabama

“Well, there’s still another big jump left there. We continue to do things that hurt us during the course of a drive. Pre-snap, we’re giving things away and making it easier for the defense. We have to get a better handle on those things that we’re in control of for us to be as efficient as we’re capable of offensively.”

On the final scoring drive to put the Alabama game away

“I like that you swing it to the positive. Absolutely. That drive to go finish the fourth quarter, it’s important that you’re able to play that way. You execute that way. Go finish in the end zone. It’s a credit to all 11, in particular, our front five and our tight ends and running backs.”

On load management playing an eighth-straight week

“We’ve already subtly tweaked some things in our practices from what we’re doing earlier. Based on the health of each individual, how much good on good work they’re going to get. We are smart and monitoring, but you’ve got to continue to get better, and you’ve got to practice to do that. So we need to win our preparation. We need to win the practice this week to give ourselves a chance to go play the way we’re capable and need to when we get to South Carolina on Saturday.”

On his first thoughts on South Carolina

“Really good football team that hit their stride a week ago. Big-time win down in Gainesville. Quarterback that is dynamic, experienced, can make plays with his legs, obviously his arm as well. Their defense is extremely difficult to run the football against. They’re athletic on the edges. They can impact the quarterback really quickly, in the pocket, when you drop back, it’ll be a huge test for us.”