Josh Heupel played a clip from Tennessee football’s win against Chattanooga in a team meeting this week.
The Vols coach didn’t choose a touchdown or a hefty hit to show his team. He showed wide receiver Nathan Leacock sprinting more than 60 yards to tackle a Chattanooga defender following a fourth-quarter interception.
“That shows you what type of culture you’ve got when a guy like Nathan Leacock — a young guy — he is exemplifying that,” wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope said Tuesday. “You have to imagine what that building looks like every day.”
Leacock’s dash wasn’t the flashiest play of Tennessee’s season-opening 69-3 win against Chattanooga. But it carried substance that lingered for the No. 12 Vols (1-0) as they prepare to play No. 23 NC State (1-0) on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Why Tennessee football coaches loved Nathan Leacock’s play vs Chattanooga
Leacock took off as soon as quarterback Gaston Moore threw an interception early in the fourth quarter at Neyland Stadium. He started at one the 17-yard line and dove at the opposite 17-yard line to make the tackle.
Chattanooga linebacker Kobe Joseph ran to the sideline and broke away from the Tennessee offense. Leacock led the charge with Moore and running back Peyton Lewis. Leacock got to Joseph first, dragging him down with a touchdown-saving tackle.
“Nathan Leacock’s play — that is what you want to see as a head coach, as a receivers coach, shoot, as an (athletics director), because that gives you a glimpse of what your football team looks like,” Pope said.
Nathan Leacock kept 7 points off the board in a 55-3 game in the fourth quarter with this effort (Gaston Moore and Peyton Lewis with the effort, too) pic.twitter.com/LtRZCUMpsb
— zach ragan (@zachTNT) September 3, 2024
Leacock’s play drew praise on the sideline in the aftermath. It became even more delightful for the Vols moments later. Chattanooga’s drive stalled after three plays. The Mocs attempted a 25-yard field goal and missed it. Leacock’s tackle prevented points and maintained Tennessee’s 55-3 lead.
“We kept those guys out of the end zone and it is solely from that play,” Pope said.
Nathan Leacock made his first catch in Tennessee vs Chattanooga
Leacock hadn’t made a catch yet when he hustled to make the tackle.
The 6-foot-3, 217-pound Leacock had a 13-yard reception later in the fourth quarter, his first for the Vols.
“That is a kid who has battled injuries,” Pope said. “That is a kid who has gone through adversity and he is fighting like crazy to go make a play and add value on the field.”
Leacock signed with Tennessee as a four-star and top-100 recruit in the 2023 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. The Rolesville, North Carolina, native was one of the top prospects in the 2023 class for the Vols and enrolled early in December 2022.
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He played in one game in 2023, making his debut against UConn in November. He has battled through injuries and is in a deep wide receiver room this season.
But the fight he showed in making a touchdown-saving tackle is what Pope expects to continue to see as Tennessee’s season moves along.
“That is who Nate is,” Pope said. “He is a fighter and he is going to keep swinging until the very last second. That is awesome to see.”
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Nathan Leacock made play Tennessee football coaches loved vs Chattanooga
