The Vols narrowly escaped the Hogs at Home, does the improved effort change your perspective on a potentially lost season? College football continues with another chaotic weekend.
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: 10-13-25
Key observations on Calipari’s Razorbacks at Tip-Off Scrimmage in Hot Springs
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Arkansas began its preseason schedule Sunday with an intrasquad scrimmage at Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs, and John Calipari saw both promise and room for refinement.
The event, dubbed the Razorback Tip-Off Scrimmage, included two 20-minute segments in which Calipari swapped rosters midstream to assess rotations, effort and cohesion.
“Practices were hard last year,” Calipari said. “For a while, we had five guys, and I know some people here were mad, ‘We watched a practice.’ Yeah, we had no — there’s nothing else we could have done.
“Next Friday, Cincinnati’s coming to town, and then we go to Memphis that Monday and play. It’s good because we need to play against those teams.
“Playing against ourselves, the kids were competitive. They battled. They did some good stuff.”
Scrimmage statistics hint at rotation options
Unofficial box score totals from Arkansas’ internal scrimmage gave fans a peek at who could push for playing time. Notables included:
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Meleek Thomas: 21 points, 3 rebounds
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Darius Acuff Jr.: 20 points, 2 rebounds
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Karter Knox: 19 points, 7 rebounds
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Malique Ewin: 19 points, 12 rebounds
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Nick Pringle: 22 points, 10 rebounds
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Trevon Brazile: 15 points, 9 rebounds
Beyond scoring, rebounding, defensive positioning and energy stood out in the full-court work.
Calipari’s decision to alternate sides mid-scrimmage allowed the coaching staff to evaluate internal matchups.
The scrimmage is the second consecutive Tip-Off event for the Razorbacks, following last season’s limited version that was hampered by injuries.
Depth, chemistry and early challenges
One recurring theme from the event: Arkansas still has work to do in sorting out depth and consistency across its roster.
Though the potential could be seen, being on the same page in motion sets and defensive discipline held room for improvement.
Calipari has previously conceded that roster limitations hampered Arkansas last year.
“I’m going to say it again, it’s not only being injured, you can’t have three or four of your seven play poorly and you expect to win,” he said earlier this year.
He also acknowledged the strain of a small roster and emphasized how injuries limited development and continuity.
Now, with more availability in the preseason, the team got its first extended run at full five-on-five competition.
That format helps the coaching staff better gauge depth, rotations and matchups against themselves before meaningful exhibitions and schedule games.
Arkansas’ official schedule lists an exhibition against Cincinnati at Bud Walton Arena on Oct. 24, followed by a game in Memphis on Oct. 27.
Calipari’s mindset and program goals
Calipari enters his second season at Arkansas with ambition and reflection. Though still in his early tenure, he has tied measurable goals to his impact on players beyond the court.
“If I can’t impact kids, this will be my last year,” he declared during the offseason, acknowledging that coaching for him is more than wins and losses.
He has also voiced concern over the state of the transfer portal and NIL structure, saying unchecked volatility in those areas could undermine the coach-player bond. In one recent remark, he described the complexity of NIL deals by pointing out that “There were 26-, 27-year-old players playing against 18-year-olds. I look at a kid, he’s waving to his wife and their kids … And it was the second wife.”
Still, he is no stranger to high expectations and pressure.
Last season’s turnaround, from a rough start to a Sweet 16 appearance, remains a hallmark of his Arkansas tenure. Arkansas knocked off Kansas and St. John’s before falling in overtime to Texas Tech.
In addition, Calipari guided the Razorbacks to a signature road win over Kentucky in Lexington, his former program, receiving a mixture of boos and cheers in his return.
Next steps and what to watch
Arkansas now shifts to official exhibitions and nonconference matchups to further refine play. Key focal points in the coming weeks:
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How internal rotations stabilize under competitive stress
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Which role players absorb consistent minutes
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Defensive identity — guarding screens, interior presence
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Chemistry with new additions, including freshmen and transfers
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Injury management and stamina across game stretches
Arkansas’ full 2025-26 schedule includes high profile games and neutral-site battles.
Among them is a holiday appointment with Duke on Thanksgiving in Chicago, part of the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic.
That matchup will serve as an early measuring stick for how Calipari’s version of the Razorbacks stacks up on a national scale.
Three Key Takeaways
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The scrimmage offered Arkansas a chance to test full five-on-five lineups and evaluate internal depth for 2025-26.
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Several players showed scoring and rebounding punch, but consistency and chemistry remain work in progress.
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Calipari’s broader focus includes both basketball results and long-term player impact; his stakes are tied to both.
Bishop’s big day powers Tennessee past Arkansas amid Razorback turmoil
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — DeSean Bishop rushed for a career-high 146 yards and a touchdown, and No. 12 Tennessee edged Arkansas, 34-31, on Saturday as the Razorbacks’ season continues to spiral amid a coaching shakeup.
The Volunteers (5–1, 2–1 SEC) got 221 yards and a touchdown through the air from quarterback Joey Aguilar, while Peyton Lewis added two rushing scores.
Arkansas (2–4, 0–2), under newly installed interim coach Bobby Petrino, lost three fumbles and allowed five sacks of quarterback Taylen Green.
Tennessee leaned on its ground game early, controlling possession and keeping Arkansas’ defense on the field for long stretches.
The Razorbacks found success through the air with Green, who showcased his dual-threat ability but lacked protection throughout much of the contest.
The loss marked Arkansas’ fourth defeat in five games and its second in SEC play, further deepening uncertainty following the firing of former head coach Sam Pittman.
Petrino, leading the team in his first game back at the helm, faced an uphill task in steadying a roster shaken by midseason turmoil.
Bishop and Tennessee find rhythm
Tennessee and Arkansas were knotted at 17 at halftime, but in the second half the Vols went on a 17-point surge to create separation.
Bishop, briefly sidelined by a leg injury late in the third quarter, returned to deliver crucial carries down the stretch.
Peyton Lewis added two fourth-quarter touchdowns that sealed Tennessee’s victory.
Joey Aguilar was steady behind center, throwing for 221 yards and a touchdown while avoiding turnovers.
His composure in third-down situations helped extend drives, especially during the decisive third quarter when the Vols began pulling away.
The Volunteers’ offensive line created consistent push at the point of attack, allowing Bishop and Lewis to combine for over 200 rushing yards.
Still, Tennessee coach Josh Heupel’s team struggled with discipline, drawing 10 penalties for 78 yards.
Arkansas managed to make a comeback effort.
Green connected with Rohan Jones and Kam Shanks for touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to three, but Tennessee’s defense made key stops on the Razorbacks’ final two drives.
Petrino era begins amid turbulence
Saturday’s matchup came one week after the Razorbacks dismissed Pittman, who had posted a 32–34 record in Fayetteville.
His firing followed a 56-13 loss to Notre Dame, prompting the university to turn to Petrino as interim coach in hopes of salvaging the season.
Petrino, once a successful yet controversial figure at Arkansas, immediately reshuffled the coaching staff.
He relieved defensive coordinator Travis Williams, co-defensive coordinator Marcus Woodson and the defensive line coach of their duties before the trip to Knoxville.
Green admitted the sudden changes were jarring.
“Everybody was just in shock with all the changes that happened last week on the bye week,” the sophomore quarterback said. “Coach Petrino’s message was to stay focused and not let outside noise define who we are.”
Despite moments of offensive spark, the Razorbacks’ defense struggled to adjust to schematic tweaks and tackling issues persisted.
Three turnovers, including a fumble deep in Tennessee territory, proved costly.
Razorbacks show flashes, but flaws linger
Arkansas’ defensive front, led by Landon Jackson, recorded a pair of sacks but allowed Bishop and Lewis to break through on key downs.
The Volunteers finished with 198 rushing yards on 43 carries, maintaining balance throughout.
Offensively, Green passed for 256 yards, two touchdowns and one interception while rushing for 63 yards and a score.
Tight end Luke Haas and receiver Shanks were productive, though protection breakdowns forced Green to improvise often.
Tennessee’s secondary bent but rarely broke, intercepting one pass and tightening coverage in critical moments.
Though the Razorbacks rallied late, they were unable to recover from an earlier 17-point deficit.
The Vols’ staff acknowledged postgame that improvement is still needed.
“We’ve got to play cleaner football,” Heupel said. “The penalties and missed assignments have to be corrected if we want to keep competing for championships.”
SEC outlook moving forward
Tennessee improved to 5–1 overall and remains in contention within the SEC East as it heads to Tuscaloosa next week to face Alabama.
The Volunteers’ ability to manage both the clock and the ground game will be tested against one of the nation’s top defensive fronts.
Arkansas returns to Fayetteville to host Texas A&M, a matchup that could determine its bowl hopes. Petrino emphasized the importance of urgency.
“We’ve got to regroup and get our confidence back,” he said. “This team has talent. It’s about execution now.”
For Tennessee, Bishop’s breakout was a promising development, giving Heupel’s offense a dependable option alongside Aguilar.
Key takeaways
- DeSean Bishop’s 146 rushing yards and key fourth-quarter carries were decisive in Tennessee’s 34-31 win.
- Arkansas’ instability after Sam Pittman’s firing led to turnovers, protection issues and defensive breakdowns.
- Tennessee remains a contender but must address penalties and run-defense lapses before facing Alabama.
Hogs, Tennessee injury updates for SEC clash include new Vols wide receiver doubt
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — As Arkansas and Tennessee prepare for their SEC showdown on Saturday, both programs issued updated Friday availability reports revealing continued injury concerns and a newly added doubt for Tennessee.
The Arkansas Razorbacks, under interim coach Bobby Petrino, again listed an extensive set of players as out.
The Volunteers, ranked No. 12, added freshman wide receiver Travis Smith Jr. as doubtful, deepening uncertainty in their receiving corps.
Arkansas Availability Report: Major holes across offense, defense
In its third update of the week ahead of Arkansas’ SEC opener against Tennessee, the Razorbacks designated several key players as “out.”
Arkansas’ reported status includes:
• WR Monte Harrison — Out
• WR Jalen Brown — Out
• WR Ismael Cisse — Out
• TE Jeremiah Beck Jr. — Out
• TE Andreas Paaske — Out
• RB AJ Green — Out
• DB Quentavius Scandrett — Out
• DL David Oke — Out
• DB Jaheim Singletary — Questionable
The breadth of absences leaves Arkansas reliant on depth and younger receivers to fill significant roles.
In prior releases, Pittman (before his dismissal) indicated Brown’s broken leg would sideline him for an extended period, and Harrison had been dealing with a broken foot.
Petrino has emphasized the need for new contributors to step up. He said the team will lean on CJ Brown and true freshman Courtney Crutchfield to expand their roles in the passing game.
Tennessee’s Stance: Cornerback losses, added doubt at WR
Tennessee’s Friday report carries fewer names but features a key addition. The Vols’ injuries now include:
• DB Rickey Gibson III — Out
• DB Jermod McCoy — Out
• WR Radarious Jackson — Out
• WR Travis Smith Jr. — Doubtful (new listing)
• TE Ethan Davis — Questionable
• Cornerback Jermod McCoy, a preseason All-American who tore his ACL in January, remains sidelined.
Vols coach Josh Heupel praised McCoy’s rehabilitation efforts, though no return date was set.
Heupel said McCoy “has done a really good job and continues to attack the recovery process,” but cautioned that it’s unfair to tie his progress to a specific game.
The addition of freshman receiver Travis Smith Jr. as doubtful further reduces Tennessee’s depth.
Smith’s absence, coupled with Radarious Jackson’s injury, stretches the Volunteers’ options on the perimeter.
One positive development is defensive tackle Daevin Hobbs being cleared for action after missing much of the fall.
Heupel credited Hobbs’ improvement in conditioning and technique during practice this week.
Depth in question for both sides
Arkansas’ offense is especially depleted at wide receiver and tight end, leaving mostly underclassmen available.
Losing defensive lineman David Oke also shortens an already thin rotation, which could impact second-half stamina.
Tennessee’s secondary faces similar strain. Without Gibson and McCoy, the Vols rely on young corners Kamal Hadden and Jordan Matthews.
Tight end Ethan Davis’ questionable status may limit Tennessee’s ability to use two-tight-end formations effectively.
The Volunteers still hold a statistical edge. They enter the weekend averaging 50.2 points per game, while Arkansas has allowed more than 41 points per contest against Power Four opponents.
Petrino’s defense will likely rotate heavily, hoping to keep the game close into the fourth quarter.
Key takeaways
- Arkansas faces sweeping absences across multiple positions, especially at receiver and tight end.
- Tennessee adds a fresh injury concern with Travis Smith Jr. now listed as doubtful, compounding existing losses at cornerback and wideout.
- Both teams’ depth will be tested, with backups expected to play significant roles in Saturday’s SEC matchup.
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