When Tennessee visited Columbus for its College Football Playoff matchup, Ohio State may have won the mental battle before the opening kickoff, according to quarterback Will Howard.
Vols’ Shirtless Walk Turns Into Buckeye Motivation, According to Will Howard
In an interview with Jon Gruden ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, Howard recounted a moment he knew Tennessee was already beaten.
“The funny thing is they came out with their shirts off and they ran over to the opposite endzone and immediately put them back on,” Howard said. “I was like, ‘What the f**k are these clowns doing?’ At that moment, I knew that we had them.”
Cracking up at Will Howard talking about Tennessee coming out shirtless
“What the f— are these clowns doing, man?” pic.twitter.com/Ia0feh6TRK
— Stefan Krajisnik (@skrajisnik3) April 8, 2025
Howard’s recollection refers to Tennessee’s decision to take the field shirtless during its pregame walkthrough in frigid conditions—a bold, performative gesture that didn’t seem to land. Ohio State fans reportedly trolled the Vols heavily for the move, and the game ended in a lopsided defeat for head coach Josh Heupel’s team.
Tennessee entered the game with a high-octane offense and a quick pass rush, but Ohio State turned the cold into an early advantage. The Buckeyes extended drives and made the Vols’ defense chase plays across the field in the opening quarter. The combination of the cold and physical wear took its toll.
Heupel reflected on the loss afterward, speaking with The Knoxville News Sentinel.
“First, just want to thank our fans. I don’t know what the actual number was that showed up, but there was a bunch of orange that decided to make the trip. Appreciate them. Disappointed for them. Disappointed for our team and everything that we have put into it since last January, that we didn’t coach and play better in this one early,” he said.
The matchup exposed Tennessee’s miscalculation. While trying to prove toughness, the Vols failed to prioritize staying warm and focused on the fundamentals. Bravado didn’t help them when the conditions got real.
Passing Game Falters Under Pressure
Tennessee’s vertical passing attack, which had found success throughout the season, failed to find rhythm in the cold. The Vols struggled with pass protection early, and Ohio State’s pressure made it difficult for freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava to settle in.
“It’s never just one thing,” Heupel said. “We struggled in protection early in the football game. I thought Nico did a good job with his feet throughout the course of it making some plays. We didn’t separate at times, and it was a combination of a lot of different things. Early in the first couple series we just got behind the chains and weren’t able to pick up a 3rd down, and then compile that with what was going on the other side of the ball, and the scoreboard kind of spread a little bit and they were able to pin their ears back.”
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Tennessee’s offensive line appeared outmatched at times, allowing the Buckeyes to generate pressure consistently. While Iamaleava showed flashes of athleticism, he never got fully comfortable. Still, the loss can’t be pinned solely on him.
Programs from the South, including SMU earlier in the season, often struggle when playing in colder climates. The Vols were no different on this occasion. Facing Big Ten powerhouses like Ohio State or Penn State in late-season road games is a different kind of challenge.
Tennessee’s gamble with optics and toughness may have backfired, serving as a lesson in preparation over presentation. In high-stakes, high-pressure environments, humility and fundamentals usually win.
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