Josh Heupel performed a clip from Tennessee soccer’s win towards Chattanooga in a group assembly this week.
The Vols coach did not select a landing or a hefty hit to indicate his group. He confirmed vast receiver Nathan Leacock sprinting greater than 60 yards to sort out a Chattanooga defender following a fourth-quarter interception.
“That exhibits you what sort of tradition you’ve bought when a man like Nathan Leacock — a younger man — he’s exemplifying that,” vast receivers coach Kelsey Pope stated Tuesday. “You need to think about what that constructing appears to be like like on daily basis.”
Leacock’s sprint wasn’t the flashiest play of Tennessee’s season-opening 69-3 win towards Chattanooga. But it surely carried substance that lingered for the No. 12 Vols (1-0) as they put together to play No. 23 NC State (1-0) on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) at Financial institution of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Why Tennessee soccer coaches liked Nathan Leacock’s play vs Chattanooga
Leacock took off as quickly as quarterback Gaston Moore threw an interception early within the fourth quarter at Neyland Stadium. He began at one the 17-yard line and dove on the reverse 17-yard line to make the sort out.
Chattanooga linebacker Kobe Joseph ran to the sideline and broke away from the Tennessee offense. Leacock led the cost with Moore and operating again Peyton Lewis. Leacock bought to Joseph first, dragging him down with a touchdown-saving sort out.
“Nathan Leacock’s play — that’s what you need to see as a head coach, as a receivers coach, shoot, as an (athletics director), as a result of that offers you a glimpse of what your soccer group appears to be like like,” Pope stated.
Nathan Leacock stored 7 factors off the board in a 55-3 sport within the fourth quarter with this effort (Gaston Moore and Peyton Lewis with the trouble, too) pic.twitter.com/LtRZCUMpsb
— zach ragan (@zachTNT) September 3, 2024
Leacock’s play drew reward on the sideline within the aftermath. It grew to become much more pleasant for the Vols moments later. Chattanooga’s drive stalled after three performs. The Mocs tried a 25-yard subject aim and missed it. Leacock’s sort out prevented factors and maintained Tennessee’s 55-3 lead.
“We stored these guys out of the tip zone and it’s solely from that play,” Pope stated.
Nathan Leacock made his first catch in Tennessee vs Chattanooga
Leacock hadn’t made a catch but when he hustled to make the sort out.
The 6-foot-3, 217-pound Leacock had a 13-yard reception later within the fourth quarter, his first for the Vols.
“That could be a child who has battled accidents,” Pope stated. “That could be a child who has gone by means of adversity and he’s combating like loopy to go make a play and add worth on the sector.”
Leacock signed with Tennessee as a four-star and top-100 recruit within the 2023 class, in response to the 247Sports Composite. The Rolesville, North Carolina, native was one of many prime prospects within the 2023 class for the Vols and enrolled early in December 2022.
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He performed in a single sport in 2023, making his debut towards UConn in November. He has battled by means of accidents and is in a deep vast receiver room this season.
However the combat he confirmed in making a touchdown-saving sort out is what Pope expects to proceed to see as Tennessee’s season strikes alongside.
“That’s who Nate is,” Pope stated. “He’s a fighter and he’s going to maintain swinging till the final second. That’s superior to see.”
Mike Wilson covers College of Tennessee athletics. E mail him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and observe him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. In the event you get pleasure from Mike’s protection, think about a digital subscription that may permit you entry to all of it.
This text initially appeared on Knoxville Information Sentinel: Nathan Leacock made play Tennessee soccer coaches liked vs Chattanooga
