NORMAN, Ok (WATE) – The Vols brought home their first SEC win of the year in a hard-fought game against Oklahoma.
Elijah Simmons set the tone on defense early with a tackle for loss on Oklahoma’s first offensive play of the game. Facing 4th and 2, Tennessee’s defense forced a turnover on downs as Jermod McCoy broke up a pass from Jackson Arnold.
However, the Sooners defense also got out to a strong start, forcing a three-and-out on Tennessee’s first offensive drive. It was another quick three-and-out for the Vols on their next possession.
Tennessee got on the board first thanks to its defense. Jermod McCoy picked off Jackson’s Arnold’s pass and returned it 17 yards to the 50-yard line. Nico Iamaleava then connected with Bru McCoy on a 38-yard pass to put the Vols in the red zone. However, the Vols had to settle for a field goal as Max Gilbert booted a 26-yarder to give Tennessee a 3-0 lead with 3:45 in the first.
The Sooners marched back down the field and responded with their own 27-yard field goal to tie the game at three with 42 seconds left in the opening quarter.
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That gave plenty of time for Iamaleava and the Vols offense to strike again before the second. Tennessee needed just two plays to find the endzone. Iamaleava connected with Squirrel White on a 14-yard pass, and then Nico found Dont’e Thornton on a 66-yard touchdown pass. It marked the freshman quarterback’s longest pass of the season, as the Vols took a 10-3 lead into the second quarter.
The Sooners came into the game leading the nation in fumble recoveries. Oklahoma forced another as Iamaleava was sacked and Oklahoma’s Ethan Downs recovered the ball at the 5-yard line.
It looked like OU was in perfect position to score. However, Tennessee’s defense forced a fumble of its own on the very next play as Arnold lost the ball and Joshua Josephs recovered it. The Vols weren’t able to capitalize on the drive though.
However, once again, Tennessee’s defense put up points for the Vols. Following a Jackson Ross punt to the four-yard line, the Sooners’ offense was called for an offsides penalty, backing up Oklahoma into the end zone. Jayson Jenkins stopped Jovantae Barnes for a two-yard loss, and two points for the Vols thanks to a safety.
With Lance Heard out and John Campbell injured in the second quarter, the Vols had two backup offensive tackles out on the field with Dayne Davis at right and Larry Johnson at left. It caused an issue up front as Nico Iamaleava was sacked and stripped again as OU recovered the football.
However, just as we saw in the first quarter, Tennessee got the ball back right away as a backwards pass from Arnold was recovered by Jakobe Thomas. The Vols took advantage on the drive as Dylan Sampson 10th rushing touchdown of the season gave Tennessee a 19-3 lead late in the second quarter.
The Sooners made a quarterback change following Sampson’s touchdown as Michael Hawkins replaced Jackson Arnold. From the top of the half, Tennessee ultimately punted the ball back to the Sooners and pushed them back to 4th down at OU’s 22 yard line.
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With the Sooners punting the ball back to Tennessee, the Vols made headway back with Bru McCoy catching a 42-yard pass. On fourth down at OU’s 23 yard line, Max Gilbert earned the Vols another three points with a field goal.
The Sooners made an attempt to close the gap in the fourth, with Hawkins making a 2-yard pass to Javontae Barns for a touchdown just over halfway through the final quarter. The Vols fought to bring the ball back, and with 3:35 left in the game, Gilbert made another field goal, bringing the score to 25-9.
With the Sooners still fighting to close the gap, Hawkins made a 46-yard pass to Jaquaize Pettaway at Tennessee’s 15 yard line. On the fourth down, Hawkins’ pass from the Tennessee was incomplete, but a penalty on the Vols for roughing the passer pushed the Sooners to first down. After an incomplete pass, Hawkins somersalted over the Tennessee’s defense, with the ball just inches short of a touchdown. After an Oklahoma timeout, Barnes pushed through with a one-yard touchdown, bringing the score up to 25-15 with 1:09 left in the game.
The Vols got the ball back, but weren’t able to find any points in their final posession, ending the game 25-15 and nabbing their first SEC win of the season.
UP NEXT: The Vols will be taking on Univeristy of Arkansas in Fayetville on Saturday, October 5.
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Publish date : 2024-09-21 16:34:00
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