Josh Heupel is ready for more Mike Matthews.

The Tennessee football coach said as much Monday as the Vols come out of their second open week and head into the final five regular-season games.

“We need him to continue to come on and be a big part of what we are doing here on the back half of this conference season,” Heupel said.

Matthews has been used sparingly with two catches for 35 yards and one touchdown in five games. After the open week, he has a chance to prove he can be the bigger part of the offense that Heupel hopes he can be as No. 7 Tennessee (6-1, 3-1 SEC) keeps chasing a College Football Playoff spot when it hosts Kentucky (3-5, 1-5) on Saturday (7:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network) at Neyland Stadium.

What Mike Matthews has to do for Tennessee football

Matthews made a splash in his debut against Kent State on Sept. 14 at Neyland Stadium. He hasn’t had a reception since.

“Mike has got some opportunities,” Heupel said. “Feel like there’s a greater opportunity for execution, at times, when he is out there. Some of that is the guys around him. Some of that is him, too.”

The 6-foot-1, 197-pound Matthews was a five-star prospect and the No. 24 player in the 247Sports Composite in the 2024 class. He has played 51 snaps this season in five games. He gained 17 yards on a screen pass in the first quarter against Kent State then made a leaping 18-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter.

Matthews played a season-high 17 snaps against Kent State. He played 14 against Arkansas on Oct. 5 then 13 against Florida on Oct. 12. He played five against Alabama on Oct. 19.

The freshman from Georgia did not play in the first two games of the season. He was injured during preseason practices.

Mike Matthews was a five-star recruit in the 2024 class

Heupel gave a message to the Vols on Oct. 21, two days after its win against Alabama and at the start of the open week. He stressed preparation all the time not only in an open week. He wants players to layer good practice on top of good practice to improve through the course of a season.

“You start showcasing those things, being consistent on the practice field, it will translate over to game day,” Heupel said. “That’s the challenge for all of us.”

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Heupel wanted the entire roster to hear that message. For Matthews, who was hampered in the preseason and has had a limited impact, the open week provided a big opportunity. It could be an inflection point in his season as the Tennessee passing attack continues to seek consistency.

Senior Bru McCoy and junior Squirrel White lead the Vols with 20 receptions each. Senior Dont’e Thornton has a team-high three touchdowns.

“Every player − not just young players − continuing to invest and improve is really critical,” Heupel said.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at [email protected] 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: Mike Matthews: Tennessee football needs freshman 5-star receiver