Fayetteville witnessed a remarkable upset on Saturday as Arkansas defeated the fourth-ranked Tennessee football team, thanks to a redshirt freshman quarterback and a true freshman running back stepping up in critical moments. With starting quarterback Taylen Green injured, Malachi Singleton executed an 11-yard touchdown run with just 1:17 left on the clock to propel Arkansas to a 19-14 victory, in front of a crowd of 75,573, marking the sixth-largest attendance in the stadium’s history.
After trailing 14-3 in the third quarter, Arkansas scored the last 16 points of the game. Coach Sam Pittman expressed his pride in the team, highlighting the contributions of the defense, which played a crucial role in the win. This significant victory for the Razorbacks came on a day when Vanderbilt shocked top-ranked Alabama, marking a historic moment as it was the first time in the AP poll era that two top-5 SEC teams lost to unranked opponents on the same day.
The Razorbacks improved to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the SEC, and achieved their first win against a top-5 team since a triple-overtime victory over LSU in 2007. Fans celebrated this victory by rushing the field, reminiscent of a similar scene back in 1999 when Arkansas defeated Tennessee. Though they couldn’t take down the goalposts this time, the joyful noise of Hog Calls echoed outside the stadium long after the game.
Singleton’s winning touchdown followed impressive back-to-back runs by Braylen Russell, who clocked in crucial yards when it mattered most. Despite struggling initially, Singleton completed the crucial plays necessary to seal the game. He finished with 2 completions for 31 yards.
Tennessee’s final drive saw them advance to the Arkansas 16-yard line, but a vital defensive play pushed the Volunteers back, ending their hopes as time expired. Arkansas’s defense, led by coordinator Travis Williams, proved formidable against the Volunteers, who were unable to capitalize on several opportunities throughout the game.
The Razorbacks initially took a 3-0 lead at halftime and managed to regain momentum after Tennessee scored two touchdowns, bringing the score to 14-3. Key performances included Dylan Sampson of Tennessee, who tallied 140 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Arkansas responded with touchdowns from Ja’Quinden Jackson and a field goal from Matt Shipley, making it a close contest.
Arkansas outperformed Tennessee in total yards, with 336 to Tennessee’s 332. Tennessee coach Josh Heupel lamented that his team did not start fast and failed to perform up to their potential, critiquing their offensive execution.
Braylen Russell was named Player of the Game for his essential contributions, including a significant fourth-and-1 conversion and crucial yards during the game-winning drive. Arkansas may face a fine of $250,000 for fans storming the field, in accordance with SEC regulations.
Looking ahead, Arkansas will be off next week but is set to host No. 13 LSU on October 19 in Fayetteville.