Josh Heupel demonstrates what Oklahoma football lacks as Tennessee dominates the Sooners.
Josh Heupel had been anticipating this day for nearly a decade.
While they say revenge is best served cold, Heupel’s moment finally came on a blistering day at his alma mater, where temperatures soared close to 100 degrees.
With the heat turned up, Heupel’s No. 7 Tennessee Vols defeated No. 13 Oklahoma 25-15 at the Palace on the Prairie.
Heupel, who once captivated fans as the star quarterback of Oklahoma’s last national championship team, silenced the crowd with a triumphant return, spoiling the Sooners’ SEC debut.
“Walking off that field with a win felt pretty good,” Heupel remarked afterward, a subtle smile on his face.
Heupel was the one who slipped away from Oklahoma—the one Bob Stoops let go—and he has since rejuvenated Tennessee.
After being dismissed by Stoops in 2014, Heupel rebuilt his career across three time zones.
He emerged as a stronger coach and even developed a formidable defense.
During Heupel’s playing days, the Sooner Schooner was a familiar sight, but it was nearly stationary for most of the night as the Sooners struggled offensively.
It only came to life after Oklahoma scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns, which were the only ones Tennessee’s defense had allowed all season.
Tennessee (4-0) displayed a fierce defensive front that overwhelmed the struggling Sooners.
Oklahoma (3-1) entered the SEC with a defense that appeared solid but had an offensive line and starting quarterback out of their depth.
Sooners fans cheered when highlights of Southern California’s loss appeared on the scoreboard, but with Lincoln Riley gone, they lost much of their offensive flair.
These Sooners could use a quarterback developed by either Riley or Heupel.
Heupel has successfully molded another talented quarterback, a strength he’s demonstrated from Oklahoma (Sam Bradford) to Missouri (Drew Lock) and now at Tennessee with Hendon Hooker and redshirt freshman Nico Iamaleava.
Iamaleava delivered precise throws, even though he faced challenges in his first road start and dealt with protection issues without his top two offensive tackles. Nonetheless, he connected on enough deep passes to create scoring chances.
Iamaleava also benefitted from Dylan Sampson, who carried the ball on eight consecutive plays during a 46-yard touchdown drive, showcasing his skills.
The Vols’ defense stepped up as well, saving their quarterback in tight spots.
After two sacks led to Oklahoma recovering fumbles, Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold quickly turned the ball back to Tennessee.
The night was so tough for Oklahoma that fans cheered when backup quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. entered the game—only for him to fumble his first snap.
It was that kind of night for the Sooners.
Before the game, Oklahoma honored Heupel with a video tribute welcoming him back. Ten Tennessee players contributed to 11 tackles for loss, and the Vols managed to win despite punting eight times.
This wasn’t a beauty contest, but Tennessee’s defense didn’t need it to be.
Heupel rarely uses press conferences to make statements, but he strongly asserted after a Week 2 victory that Tennessee holds itself to an elite defensive standard.
“This is the home of Reggie White, Al Wilson, Eric Berry,” he stated.
Now, it’s home to current defenders like Keenan Pili, Arion Carter, and James Pearce, who caused Oklahoma significant trouble.
Heupel endeared himself to Vols fans with his 2022 team, known for its high-scoring offense, but this squad plays a more balanced style, reminiscent of the 2000 Sooners. That season, Heupel’s arm led Oklahoma through a challenging midseason stretch, while the defense ultimately carried the team to a national championship.
Heupel transitioned from a beloved quarterback to a key assistant for Stoops, but was let go after a disappointing 2014 season, which derailed his hopes of succeeding Stoops.
While Stoops’ changes revitalized Oklahoma’s offense under Riley, Heupel felt deeply wounded by his dismissal. That experience fueled his determination, and he remains a legendary figure at Oklahoma, receiving respect before kickoff.
Oklahoma treated Heupel like a legend with a pregame video montage celebrating his role in their last national championship, but he proved he’s thriving without them.
