Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Jim Mora takes one more shot at the Tennessee Vols after completion of 2023 season

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Ragan | Last updated Jan 10, 2024 3:28 PM ET

UConn head coach Jim Mora, who went viral earlier this season for his drive by handshake with Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel after the Huskies' blowout loss in Knoxville, took one final shot at UT after the completion of the 2023 regular season.

Mora didn't include the Vols on his final Coaches Top 25 ballot, but he included Iowa, the team Tennessee beat 35-0 in the Citrus Bowl, ranking the Hawkeyes at No. 18 (via Mike Wilson of the Knoxville News Sentinel).

Tennessee finished No. 17 in the final Coaches and AP Top 25 polls.

Jim Mora Jr. wasn't a fan of Tennessee in November -- and the UConn coach still wasn't in January.

Mora left the Vols off his final ballot in the coaches poll, which included Iowa at No. 18. https://t.co/H2kXQykHnL
— Mike Wilson (@ByMikeWilson) January 10, 2024

Things between UConn and Tennessee got chippy before the two teams kicked off in early November. Some UConn players warmed up on Tennessee's side of the field before the game, which led to a brief altercation.

UConn warming up on Tennessee’s side as the #Vols take the field. Coach Heupel and the team not mincing words as the Huskies return to their side. pic.twitter.com/xNg6Dt8YuP
— Paige Dauer (@PaigeDauerTV) November 4, 2023

Vols defensive back Doneiko Slaughter suggested after the game that UConn players were "talking so much trash".

“UConn was talking so much trash, but you come talking trash, you’re gonna get punched in the mouth…we want to keep a respectful game at the end of the day, but if you want to take it to that type of game, it can be that game all night.” — Tennessee DB Doneiko Slaughter pic.twitter.com/knKQtCwFBq
— zach ragan (@zachtnt) November 6, 2023

Mora didn't see it the same, suggesting after the game that UConn's players played with "class".

“It started in pre game…it followed us all the way to the locker room, unfortunately….[they] handled that environment and showed class. And not striking back at some things that would probably be hard to not strike back at had they not had the class that they had.” pic.twitter.com/XhzNS4Qim3
— zach ragan (@zachtnt) November 8, 2023

Seems like Mora is just bitter about losing 59-3 to the Vols.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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