Josh Heupel reacts to Joey Aguilar end-of-half pick six, reveals message to QB

Right before halftime, Tennessee was close to punching one in against Alabama. A touchdown would have made it a two-point game, while a field goal got the Vols to halftime down six. Instead, the unthinkable happened for quarterback Joey Aguilar — an interception returned the other way for a touchdown by Zabien Brown.

Shortly after the play, Josh Heupel spoke to ESPN’s Molly McGrath about the moment. He expressed disappointment in the play but maintained that there is still another half left to play in Tuscaloosa.

“Obviously, disappointed in that play,” Heupel said. “We’ve got 30 more minutes of football. At the end of the day, they’ve played a few more plays than we have. We’ve hurt ourselves with some penalties. Let’s go play another 30 minutes.”

Heupel is keeping the message to Aguilar quite simple as well. At least when speaking to McGrath, there was no anger coming from the Tennessee coach. Instead, the goal appears to be to keep spirits high in the halftime locker room.

“Let’s go play,” Heupel said. “He’ll be ready to roll. He’ll bounce back.”

With the pick-six, there is an uphill battle coming in the final 30 minutes for Tennessee. They now trail 23-7 and Alabama gets the ball coming out of the break. A defensive stop is needed before Aguilar gets the ball back in his hands. From there, everyone wearing orange is hoping to comeback effort begins.

Joey Aguilar dealing with neck injury vs. Alabama

Aguilar has been dealing with an injury throughout this game. Another play around the Tennessee goal line, Aguilar got crunched by to Alabama defenders and hurt his neck. A trip to the injury tent took place but he never officially left the game.

“Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar took a hard hit on that last drive,” ESPN’s Molly McGrath said. “Tennessee training staff rushed over to him when he was on the sideline and they were looking at the back of his neck — they still are. He tried to move his neck around and was in visible discomfort. They massaged the area and he keeps testing the mobility of his neck. It’s very obviously bothering him.”

ESPN color commentator Greg McElroy spoke to how an uncomfortable neck can lead to inaccurate throws at times. Maybe something to consider on the pick-six, throwing it well behind the intended Tennessee target. Either way, not a moment Heupel drew up in his. mind.