Vols falter in Arkansas, marking first loss of the season

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (WATE) — Coming off their by week, the Vols hit the road, as their second SEC contest of the season lied in Fayetteville.

The Vols offense was nonexistent in the first half against the Razorbacks, the Vols held scoreless at the break.

However despite the offensive woes, the Vol defense held their ground. Combined with Arkansas not being able to capitalize off several opportunities, the Tennessee defense was able to hold the Razorbacks to just a field goal at the break.

Tennessee got the ball to start the second half and the offense finally got rolling. A 53-yard run from Dylan Sampson was the jolt to wake the Vols up, Sampson then punching in a 4-yard touchdown on the very next play. The first touchdown of the evening in Fayetteville being scored with 12:33 left in the third quarter.

With a 7-3 lead, Tennessee forced the Razorbacks to punt on the following drive. Sampson continued to ignite the Vols offensive effort. The junior managed another 4-yard trip to paydirt later in the third quarter to the land the Vols a 14-3 lead.

But just as the Vols offense woke up after the half, so did the Razorbacks. On the response to Sampson’s touchdown, Arkansas capped off their drive with a 2-yard score from Ja’Quinden Jackson. Tennessee still in front but the Razorbacks knocking, 14-10.

The Razorbacks rode that energy into a field goal, Matthew Shipley knocking it back from 22-yards to put the game within a point, Vols holding on 14-13.

Malachi Singleton cashed in on an 11-yard run to give the Razorbacks a 19-14 lead after a failed two point conversion.

Vols got the ball back with a little over a minute remaining, and though they got themselves within striking distance, the game ended with Nico Iamaleava running out of bounds, Tennessee falling 19-14.

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