Arkansas Earns Top 5 Win, Upsets No. 4 Tennessee 19-14

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Arkansas fans, it has happened. The Arkansas Razorbacks (4-2, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) defeated the No. 4 Tennessee Volunteers (4-1, 1-1) by a score of 19-14 on Oct. 5. The Razorbacks won their first home game against a top 5 team since 1999 with this victory.

Game Summary

This game turned out as a sloppy one. Both offenses struggled, and it was merely a defensive show up until halftime.

The Razorbacks entered the half up 3-0 and had to fight in this one to make sure they could pull out a top 5 victory.

The Volunteers came out in the second half ready to play and it showed. They put together two consecutive touchdown drives to take the lead 14-3. The drives consisted of 7 plays 75-yards and 7 plays 60-yards and the Volunteers thought they were rolling.

That is until the Razorbacks decided to answer the call. The very next drive, down by 14, the Razorbacks drove down the field in 8 plays and 75 yards and answered back. The drive was capped off by a touchdown run from 2-yards out by running back Ja'Quinden Jackson.

The Volunteers punted on their next drive and then on the following Razorbacks' drive, they went 10 plays and 75 yards, and kicked a field goal from 23-yards out by Matthew Shipley to cut the lead to 14-13.

The Volunteers punted on their next three drives and then with 3 minutes remaining in the game, Razorbacks backup quarterback Malachi Singleton helped drive the offense down the field and ran the ball in from 11-yards out to take the lead late 19-14.

Then the Razorbacks defense made a stand against Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava and held on for the very close victory.

Turning Point: Arkansas

The true turning point in this game, even though it did not give them the lead, was the touchdown drive that cut the Volunteers' lead to 14-10.

Because from there, the Razorbacks' defense held the Volunteers' offense to four drives that ended in punts and then the final drive that resulted in a turnover on downs at the end of the game.

The touchdown drive that helped turn the tide for the Razorbacks was helped by quarterback Taylen Green completing passes of 15 yards to wide receiver Isiah Sategna, and passes of 26 yards and 17 yards to wide receiver Andrew Armstrong.

These completions helped set up the touchdown run from Jackson and from there, the Razorbacks had the momentum they were seeking.

What It Means

For the Razorbacks, after earning a top 5 win, they are feeling at the top of the world. They are feeling like all of their demons are finally exorcised and they can beat anyone now. For them coming up in Week 7, they have a bye week and have a chance to reset and sit back and get healthy after a big victory.

For the Volunteers, they have a lot of head scratching and brainstorming to do. They have to figure out how to get their offense to be more consistent. They have to figure out how to get their receivers open because it was a rough night for them. In Week 7, they will host the Florida Gators (3-2, 1-1) at 7 p.m. EST at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on ESPN.