Tennessee football pulled off an impressive road SEC victory on Saturday against Oklahoma.

The No. 7 Vols usually high-powered offense rode their defense to a dominant 25-15 victory over No. 13 Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma. The 10-point outcome did not represent how well the Tennessee defense performed, as the Sooners scored a touchdown with one minute remaining.

“Winning on the road is tough,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel told his players postgame. “Winning on the road against good football teams (is) tough. They’re good. We’re going to continue to face better as we go. Played well tonight. Anyone think we played our best tonight?”

His team responded with a resounding, “Hell no!”

“Good teams keep getting better. Keep getting better,” Heupel continued. “I am proud of the investment, the competitive composure, reset into the next play, continuing to compete. Man, it’s just us being us. Let’s just keep making us a better version every single day.”

Nico Iamaleava to Josh Heupel, ‘We did this for you’

Heupel was the Oklahoma quarterback in 2000 when the Sooners won the national championship. Heupel then served as an assistant coach under Bob Stoops with the Sooners from 2006-14. All week the media narrative surrounded Heupel’s return to Oklahoma.

While Heupel never made the game about himself, he acknowledged that his team knew exactly how important the moment was for him with their play.

“Coming back to Norman was never about me,” Heupel said of his return to Oklahoma with emotion. “It was not, but I appreciate all of you having a little extra for me. I love you guys. I really mean that. I am proud of you. I am proud of how we’ve grown. Damn. Our best is still out in front of us.”

Not once, but twice, Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava presented Heupel with the game ball. The first time came on the field following the game. The second time came after Heupel finished his postgame speech to the team in the locker room after the game.

“We did this for you, coach Heup. This game ball is for you,” Iamaleava said to Heupel as his teammates danced around their coach.