Arkansas players Andrew Armstrong, Doneiko Slaughter, Malachi Singleton and Eric Gregory after 19-14 win over Vols before wild crowd.
LIVE BLOG: Hogs hold on at end to down No. 4 Tennessee, 19-14
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Nobody’s giving Arkansas much of a chance against Tennessee tonight at Razorback Stadium. They turned out to be wrong.
A drive in the final two minutes with a backup quarterback led Arkansas to a 19-14 win over No. 4 Tennessee on Saturday night and everybody got to run out on the field.
“A great couple of drives there at the end and the defense won it,” Sam Pittman said on TV after the game. “It’s a big, big win for the University of Arkansas. The guys were ready to play and they played hard all night. If we don’t turn the ball over we can play with anybody in the country.”
That much is true. The Razorbacks go into the bye week on a roll, but without starting quarterback Taylen Green, who was injured in the fourth quarter. His backup, Malachi Singleton, scored with 1:17 left and the defense held off the Vols’ offense on a final drive for the win.
Arkansas will now have a week off before playing LSU on Oct. 19 at Razorback Stadium at 6:30 p.m. on ABC.
The game is televised on ABC with Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstret plus his support dog in attendance and on the field before the game.
Keep up with the highlights and scoring plays throughout here on the live blow.
Q1 5:48: The Razorbacks take the opening kickoff and hold onto the ball for over half of the first quarter. They got within inches of scoring, but a penalty backed them up and forced a 20-yard field goal for the lead. Hogs 3, Vols 0
Razorbacks dominate the first half, but just lead 3-0 getting within inches of scoring on a couple of occasions and hitting big plays, but not getting the ball into the end zone. The problem was they never got more than the field goal.
Q3 12:33: Tennessee gets offense untracked taking the second-half kickoff and going 75 yards in 7 plays with Dylan Sampson getting a 53-yard carry followed by a 7-yarder up the middle for a touchdown and the lead. It quieted the crowd, but now the offense has to continue the pace and find the end zone. Vols 7, Hogs 3
Q3 8:19: You could see this coming after the Vols got a three-and-out against the Razorbacks and a short put by Devin Bale gave them a relatively short field. Tennessee took advantage of a couple of penalties on the Hogs’ defense for a seven-play, 60-yard drive and Sampson scored his second touchdown on a 4-yard run to stretch the lead. Vols 14, Hogs 3
Q3 4:38: Razorbacks respond quickly with a 75-yard drive in eight plays and Ja’Quinden Jackson diving in from the 2 on a dive that held up on replay. Backup kicker Matthew Shipley kicked the extra point after Ramsey was injuried on his missed field goal in the first half. Vols 14, Hogs 10
Q4 12:06: Tennessee getting penalties that give Razorbacks fresh life when they ran into punter Devin Bale. Taylen Green directed a 75-yard drive in 10 plays. Wild snaps from center Addison Nichols disrupted the flow of the offense, but Green was injured on a 31-yard pass to Andrew Armstrong that set up a 22-yard field goal by Shipley. Vols 14, Hogs 13
Q4 1:17: Razorbacks manage to get ball back behind defense’s stops and Malachi Singleton directed a four-play, 59-yard drive and took it in on an 11-yard drive. Tennessee appeared to almost be letting him score, taking a chance on their offense that had been ineffective much of the game from what they had done for four games previously. A 2-point attempt was blown up by pressure from the Vols’ defensive front. Hogs 19, Vols 14
ANDY’S PICKS: Looking at numbers shows why picking Hogs difficult
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Yes, I’m well aware Arkansas’ game tonight won’t be played on paper. That’s actually good because looking at it there would be no way to give the Razorbacks a shot against Tennessee.
The Volunteers aren’t ranked No. 4 in the nation by accident. But considering the strange things that have happened in this game over the years, nothing would really surprise me.
The whole series started that way in the 1971 Liberty Bowl. The 18th-ranked Razorbacks were flying under the radar a little but Joe Ferguson was lighting up scoreboards. No. 9 Tennessee was supposed to be one of the best teams in the country, ranked No. 9 in the nation.
Besides, the Vols were billed as having the best free safety in the country with Bobby Majors patrolling the middle. The Hogs got the first touchdown when wide receiver Jim Hodge got him out of position after Arkansas wide receivers coach Raymond Berry noticed something and he caught a 36-yard touchdown falling down in the end zone.
It was a defensive slugfest, but far from a masterpiece. Louis Campbell kept intercepting passes and Bill McClard was kicking field goals. The Hogs had a field goal taken off the board when tight end Bobby Nichols was called for holding by SEC official Preston Watts, despite it was Nichols that was grabbed by a Tennessee player and tossed to the ground.
Late in the game, Arkansas was trying to drive and hang on to a 13-7 lead, but Jon Richardson fumbled and since guard Tom Mabry recovered, fans thought the drive would continue. Watts, an SEC official, gave the ball to the Vols, they scored and the Razorbacks lost, 14-13.
It was the second time in my life SEC officials had made calls that were strange, even to a kid. The first was 1960 when referee Tommy Bell called a field goal by Ole Miss good that was obviously wide. He went to the NFL and because a legendary official there, but wasn’t calling anymore Arkansas games if Frank Broyles ever had anything to say about it.
After the obvious mistakes in the Liberty Bowl, the bowl games changed to officials from a conference not affiliated with either school. That one was a split crew from the SEC and Southwest Conference. The results were fairly obvious.
Then there’s the Cotton Bowl after the 1989 season, then the Hogs’ first game as a member of the SEC with a huge upset win after losing to The Citadel got Jack Crowe fired a week earlier.
Like I said, strange things tend to happen in this game that nobody saw coming. Then, again, there have been some very predictable outcomes through the 1990’s and early 2000’s when Tennessee just did what they wanted.
One stat, though, I keep going back to is behind my pick this time. Tennessee’s defense has given up nearly the same number of yards combined for all the games the Hogs average per game. Simply, the Vols’ defense is more talented than the Razorbacks’ offense.
The Hogs only have a 17.8% chance of winning, according to the ESPN predictor. That actually sounds about right.
Vols 38, Hogs 21
After a huge week across the SEC last week, this lineup of games looks kinda dull. If you don’t think Alabama’s win over Georgia was epic, quit watching football. Ole Miss faceplanted against Kentucky to show what happens in this league if you get complacent and lazy about penalties. It was a great week.
(9) Missouri at (25) Texas A&M: Pay attention to this one after the first quarter. That lets the initial enthusiasm of the chaos of College Station wear down a little bit. Missouri is a better team and I still think the Aggies are living off the enthusiasm, although they do have a more-talented defensive front. Combined with the enthusiasm plus just a general dislike for Missouri, I’ll go with an upset. Aggies 28, Tigers 24
(12) Ole Miss at South Carolina: While the Gamecocks are playing better than most folks expected, Ole Miss has spent a week getting re-focused after a shocking 20-17 loss to Kentucky. No one saw that coming. Don’t get fooled by South Carolina’s 31-6 win in the second week. That game has absolutely nothing to do with this week and they will have it clocking. Rebels 31, Gamecocks 21
Auburn at (5) Georgia: “Good Grief Game”: Not really sure this is the correct call for the Good Grief Game. It is the oldest rivalry in the South and a whopping amount of games complete defying logic. This is one of those where you truly just hope your pick works out because all logic says go with Georgia after their loss to Alabama. Tigers coach Hugh Freeze probably isn’t on a seat as hot as folks think becauseif they fire him this year nobody is going to want to take that job. Bulldogs 34, Tigers 31
(1) Alabama at Vanderbilt: Now this is truly the good grief game. Vanderbilt may have gotten some publicity for being decent in non-conference and taking Missouri to overtime, I’m still not buying into it. The talent difference in the rosters makes the biggest difference, though. It won’t be close Crimson Tide by 51, Commodores 21
UCF at Florida: Former Razorback quarterback KJ Jefferson won in The Swamp last year. It was the only SEC game the Hogs won, too. Everybody is viewing that as a positive for Gus Malzahn’s team, but it also works out well for Florida. They have tape on him now and know exactly what he can and can’t do. Florida, by all reports, also had a tremendous week of practice. I have no idea what that means, but you don’t hear it that often and I’ve learned when you hear superlatives being thrown around about it, pay attention because it usually actually means something. Gators 34, Knights 31.
PETE’S PICKS: Looking at Razorbacks’ matchup with Tennessee
I should not have asked him. I knew by the look on his face as soon as the question left my mouth, he had no longer been reading the words I put into these weekly pieces.
As far as I could tell, in years past, he may not have been my most staunch supporter, but he was at least giving my stuff a look from time-to-time. His enthusiasm for trivia and the answering of my weekly question would often come up as a brief topic when he and I spoke at ballgames. But this season, up to this point, there had been no talking on the matter.
The normal friendly banter, sure, but on my writing, pure silence. So, as mentioned, I knew immediately when I asked him his thoughts on the trivia questions this year, he had stopped glancing into my views on the football world. His expression and quietness told me an answer I did not want to hear.
Sometimes the things we want to hear the least are the things we need to hear the most. I can take it as unintentional criticism and use it for growth and as an indicator that if I want to keep doing this, I am going to have to get increasingly better. Message received. Thank you.
More importantly, do you know who else needs to get better?
Arkansas’s offense, especially the offensive line. The lost to Texas A&M in last week’s back-and-forth contest really exposed a lot of flaws in our blocking scheme. Hogs quarterback Taylen Green frequently had no time in the pocket, and for some reason, the coaches saw something which prompted a decision to cut back on the running game.
What that was, I do not know. Perhaps it was a scheme they thought they could explore in the passing game and exploit an Aggies’ weakness. Whatever it was failed purely because the offensive line was not maintaining their blocks.
This flaw could prove to be a gamechanger against a much more talented Tennessee Volunteer defense on Saturday. But let’s be honest, not too many people are expecting it to be much of a game when the No. 4 ranked Vols slide into Fayetteville, so blocking may be the least of our worries.
As far as any home field advantage for the Razorbacks may be concerned, there are two possibilities I can foresee.
One, since we’ve not had any solid games in Razorback Stadium, many fans may be excited for their first trip for an SEC opponent mixed with our close but winning record. Stuff the stadium on a Saturday night after a full day of tailgating — advantage Arkansas.
The other possibility is everyone may now have low expectations for the season, thus opting to spend their weekend night doing something else … anything else. Poor attendance on Saturday — advantage Volunteers.
Before you bail on going, you have to remember, some of Arkansas’s most raucous games in history have been against Tennessee in Fayetteville. I think it then goes without saying, if the Razorbacks (and our fans) want to have any advantage on the scoreboard, it will need to be a packed madhouse Saturday.
Unfortunately, regardless of the crowd attendance, I do not see a victory inside for our beloved Hogs.
Tennessee, 38 – 31
Random Thoughts
If you have not read Clay Henry’s HitThatLine.com recent piece on his dogs, I strongly recommend taking a look. It is one of the best reads I’ve seen in a long time. I wonder if Clay reads my trivia questions?
TRIVIA QUESTION: Who had one of the most iconic play-by-play calls in Razorbacks’ history, when Clint Stoerner found Anthony Lucas in the endzone to put the Hogs up for good in 1998?
Week 6 is way too late to be having the first home game against a quality opponent.
TRIVIA ANSWER: Easy answer this week: Paul Eells. Why such a softball of a question? Tennessee week is nothing if not a tribute is made to the legendary Eells.
I may not be the best, but I damn sure love our Razorbacks!
Be certain to listen to the game Saturday at 6:30 P.M. via HitThatLine.com and on the air at ESPN Arkansas 99.5 in Fayetteville, 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs, and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
SEC Picks for Week 6
Andy Hodges did not like my “Andy Hodges Good Grief Game” tribute pick to him last week. He thought I was off the mark when I picked a talented South Alabama team to get whipped by LSU. A 42-10 win later, and perhaps I had a little more pep in my step than a normal Saturday night after a Hogs’ loss.
This week has a few good matchups, and no game comes across as a blowout this week, but there are a couple which have real potential. It is time to predict the SEC Week 6 games, so let’s get rolling.
GAME OF THE WEEK
(9) Missouri at (25) Texas A&M: The “GOTW” could be a yawnfest if one or both teams decide to not show up. If the Aggies want to build any momentum, they must keep this game close at home. If Missouri wants to stay towards the top in the playoff picture, they must win this game on the road. It does not need to be a huge margin, just a win, and that is what they will get. Tigers by 14.
(12) Ole Miss at South Carolina: This would be an awesome game to attend in person. It almost took “GOTW” honors. If this game were being held in Oxford, it would probably be a blowout for the Rebels. Since it is in Columbia, then it will be a good contest until early in the 4th quarter. The Gamecocks are rising slowly, but Ole Miss has too much at stake to lose two weeks in a row. Rebels by 12.
Auburn at (5) Georgia: “Good Grief Game”: If Andy did not like my “AH GGG” tribute game to him last week, maybe he will like this one a little bit better (Editor’s Note: This one may be worse). This has the most potential to be a blowout, especially with the Bulldogs coming off a such a topsy-turvy loss to Alabama last weekend. Kirby Smart will probably have his Georgia team ran to death, but not enough to keep them from dominating the Tigers. Bulldogs by 34.
(1) Alabama at Vanderbilt: One could expect a let-down by the Crimson Tide this week after such an odd win over Georgia last weekend. They could possibly even overlook the ‘Dores in thoughts of hosting a surging South Carolina Gamecocks team. Unfortunately for Vandy, that will not happen. We predicted Sunday Bama would jump Texas in the rankings, and now they must solidify their hold on the No. 1 spot with a dominate victory, but they may try too hard, thus keeping the game closer than normal. Crimson Tide by 28.
(4) Tennessee at Arkansas: Both the team and the fans for the Hogs had better show up and show out for an upset to be made. Vols by 7.
UCF at Florida: Whether it takes place during the season or at the conclusion, a loss to UCF would be “the loss” that ultimately costs Billy Napier his job. That’s a sad thought, as Napier seems like such a nice guy. You also hate it for his staff… unless you live in Gainesville. They are ready to see him gone. UCF comes off an embarrassing loss to Colorado, and they need redemption. This one will be super close. Knights by 4.
We can all get better at something. Look for opportunities of growth and explore them.
Here’s to a long weekend with Mountain Dew.
Go HOGS!!!
Ruscin & Zach no scores, no keys for the Tennessee game
We have absolutely nothing you need for the Hogs big game Saturday against Tennessee. No keys. No score predictions.
Plus Matt and Trey from the Social Birdy give us their take on the big games of the CFB weekend.
Eastside Liquor Halftime Podcast: 10-4-24
Matt and Phil have a full slate of guests on once again covering everything from Hogs vs Vols, Arkansas recruiting, MLB playoffs and more!
Guests: Aaron Torres, Danny West, Neal Atkinson.
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: 10-4-24
One more day until a pivotal game in the Sam Pittman tenure takes place and the “what ifs” run rampant.
Guests: Shawn Brasuell/The Fence Man, and Clay Henry.
Democrat-Gazette’s Tom Murphy on different issue for Pittman this week
Tennessee this year better than Texas in 2021, but Hogs coach wants to repeat atmosphere and result on Saturday night.
