Well, a win is a win, even if it’s an ugly one, and under the circumstances, Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Volunteers will take it.
Tennessee scored late in the fourth quarter to go up 24-17, and they hung on in the final few minutes to get out of Fayetteville with a rare win. It was Tennessee’s first win there since a 13-3 victory back on Sept. 8, 2001.
George MacIntyre threw for 247 yards in his first career start on 18/29 passing with a touchdown and two interceptions. DeSean Bishop turned 19 carries
into 138 yards and a touchdown. DaSaahn Brame led all pass catchers with three grabs for 87 yards and a one-yard rushing touchdown. TJ Metcalf led all defenders with nine total tackles.
The first half was a true rock fight, with the teams combining for eight punts around a 10-play 71-yard Tennessee touchdown drive early in the second quarter. MacIntyre found TE Trent Thomas in the flat for a five-yard catch and run score for a 7-0 lead.
Tennessee had the chance to extend the lead in the final seconds while in field goal range, but Bishop hit MacIntyre’s arm as he was throwing, and Arkansas picked it up and rumbled 58 yards for a final field goal attempt from former Tennessee kicker Max Gilbert from 38 yards. But Gilbert pulled it wide to end the half.
The third quarter was a disaster for the Vols. After a Tennessee three and out, the Hogs went 70 yards in five plays capped by a nine-yard Braylon Russell run to tie the game at seven. MacIntyre’s deep ball was picked off at the Arkansas 37 on the next drive, and the Hogs would go 10 plays to take it all the way to the end zone for a 14-7 lead. Tennessee answered back with a field goal to inch closer at 14-10 heading into the fourth quarter.
After an Arkansas punt, MacIntyre and Brame had the connection of the game. Brame got a step and MacIntyre hit him in stride for a 68-yard gain into the red zone. Brame himself would punch it in on third and goal from the one to go back up 17-14. But the Hogs wouldn’t go away, with Gilbert, of course, drilling a 53-yard field goal to tie the game at 17. Gilbert was hit on the ensuing drive and threw an interception. However, Tennessee’s defense bowed up near midfield and forced a punt.
And finally, Tennessee took control of the game. Bishop broke off a 59-yard run down the sideline to get in field goal range. Two runs and a facemask put the Vols in goal to go. And with under two minutes left, Arkansas appeared to let Bishop score to go up 24-17.
Tennessee’s defense then did its job, stopping Arkansas dead in its tracks on three plays. With all three timeouts, the Hogs punted with 1:42 left. And Tennessee managed to pick up the first down to kneel the game out.
Up next: you all know — it’s the Third Saturday in October, with Alabama coming to Neyland Stadium for their annual tilt.
