<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2iVDWk_0vwxsGDf00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2iVDWk_0vwxsGDf00" width="1628" height="1085" >The Vols suffered their first loss of the season this past Saturday.This loss came at the hands of the Arkansas Razorbacks 19-14. There is not one particular group to put the blame on, the Vols were outmatched from the start of the game.A lot of Tennessee’s weaknesses were exposed last night, however, there were two bright spots. There are several areas that need improvement, and fast, as the thick of the Vols schedule still lies ahead.<h2>Tennessee Vols: #4 Vols STUNNED by Razorbacks</h2><h2>Bright Spots</h2>Dylan SampsonDylan Sampson continued his electric start to the season last night. He finished the night with 22 carries for 140 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 6.4 yards per carry. Sampson seemed to be the only player on offense who showed up last night, as he accounted for 45% of the team’s total offensive yards. Sampson will need to keep these performances up in order for the Vols to stay on the right track.The DefenseIf you only look at the stats, you are probably wondering why the Vols defense is listed as a bright spot. The Vols gave up 434 yards of offense to the Razorbacks. However, they only gave up two touchdowns. Several times Arkansas had a good drive going, and made it to the red zone, only to be forced to take a field goal. While the defense did not have its best night, it is responsible for keeping Tennessee in the game through all four quarters.<h2>Areas to Improve</h2>The Vols got punched in the mouth early against the Razorbacks and never shook it off. There were several aspects of this Vols team that showed how badly they need improvement, especially if the Vols expect to continue to compete for the SEC this season.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vols?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#Vols</a> RB Dylan Sampson: This is probably the first time we’ve gotten hit with real adversity. Offensively, we’ve got to find some plays to get going. But it was a lot of us hurting ourselves.— GoVols247 (@GoVols247) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoVols247/status/1842776152479297896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">October 6, 2024</a><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote>Play CallingFor the last two games, the play calling by the Tennessee offensive staff has been very questionable, to say the least.Against Oklahoma, the team had the excuse that they “took their foot off the gas”. But after the Arkansas game, we don’t know if that was truly the case.There were multiple instances in the game that really just made you question what was going through Heupel and the offensive coordinator’s mind. They called inside zone runs multiple times on third and long, and didn’t go for it on fourth down once.There was also a seemingly blatant refusal to try and push the ball deep down the field early in the game.The Tennessee offense has not looked the same since the departure of Alex Golesh. It is unknown whether it is a Josh Heupel problem, a Joey Halzle (OC) problem, or both, but something needs to be figured out, and soon.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">Josh Heupel on his message to the team: When moments like this happen, the outside world is going to have a narrative for you. You’ve got to look your teammates in the eye. Those are the opinions that matter. We still have a chance to be a really good football team.— GoVols247 (@GoVols247) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoVols247/status/1842775693706264775?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">October 6, 2024</a><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote>Offensive LineThe Vols’ offensive line was utterly abysmal against the Razorbacks. The Razorbacks came into this game with only 10 sacks on the season but managed to rack up four against the Vols.This performance was rather shocking, as the Vols offensive line had looked solid up to this point. If Arkansas, who boasts a rather lackluster pass rush, could manage four sacks against this group, you have to wonder what teams like Alabama and Georgia are going to do to this group.The offensive line is the catalyst to the Tennessee offense performing up to its standard, and their play needs to be better than it was against Arkansas, for the rest of the year.Wide ReceiversThrough 5 games, the wide receivers have been relatively nonexistent. There has yet to be a guy who has cemented himself as the true and clear WR1.Last night against the Razorbacks was no different. The receivers struggled to create any kind of separation, and dropped several balls. This is kind of embarrassing for the Vols, as going into this game it was clear that the secondary was Arkansas’ weakness on defense.The defenses, and secondaries, the Vols will face do not get any easier going forward. The wide receiver room will need to wake up and start showing up if the Vols want to compete.With all that being said, it is not all doom and gloom on Rocky Top. The Vols are only 4-1, the same record as Alabama and Georgia.The fate of their season still lies in their hands, and their hands alone. A loss like this, early in conference play, is sometimes a good thing.This loss could be the wake-up call that the team needs. It certainly showed they are by no means a complete team yet.The Tennessee Vols are back in action next Saturday, October 12th. They take on their arch-rival, the Florida Gators, in Neyland Stadium.Follow me on X (Twitter) @JacksonVols24 for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and professional football, click here!<h2>Our Partners</h2><h2>Mayfield Sports Marketing</h2>Call Mayfield Sports Marketing at 262-366-8188 to schedule Green Bay Packers players or alumni for your corporate appearance or product promotion. Our booking agents will work on your behalf to get you the best price for your desired sports speaker. Mayfield Sports Marketing has earned a reputation of being the one to call for booking top athletes to speak at events and trade shows. To learn more about Packers players or alumni appearance costs and booking fees, please call us today. www.MayfieldSports.com.</div></body>

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Tennessee Vols: #4 Vols STUNNED by Razorbacks

The Vols suffered their first loss of the season this past Saturday. This loss came at the hands of the Arkansas Razorbacks 19-14. There is not one particular group to put the blame on, the Vols were outmatched from the start of the game. A lot of Tennessee’s weaknesses were...

Tennessee Vols: #4 Vols STUNNED by Razorbacks

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