Live Reaction: Arkansas Razorbacks Hosts No. 15 Tennessee Volunteers

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Follow along as Arkansas attempts to put an end to its woes against SEC opponents, and look to close out a long drought of home woes.

1:25 to go in the fourth quarter: Did we really just witness the most pathetic call of all time? Silverfield called for a punt on fourth down with his team only down seven points. That's the epitome of a loser mentality.

Coaches with a strong culture don't do that.

5:44, fourth quarter: Shelton Lewis picks off a pass from MacIntyre on third down, which gives the Razorbacks a chance to take the lead.

7:20, fourth quarter: Arkansas assembles a 9-play 38 yard drive resulting in a 55-yard field goal by former Tennessee kicker Max Gilbert to knot the game at 17-all.

The Razorbacks needed that one and have played the best half of football against a Power Conference opponent under Silverfield. This one is going to come down to the wire, and it's going to take Arkansas' defense having one more stop in them to have a chance for the program's first victory over an SEC opponent since 2024.

11:34, fourth quarter: KJ Jackson fools the Vols with a play action roll out to the left and finds tight end Ty Lockwood for a 20-yard pass for a first down. Arkansas certainly needed that to extend the drive.

Start of fourth quarter: Jackson's pass is batted down at the line of scrimmage for the third time and Arkansas will now rely on its defense once again for a stop.

End of third quarter: Braylen Russell was in a H-Back role and found running room off the right side for 29 yards for a first down. A hold on right guard Kobe Branham wiped the big play out which makes it third-and-10 when play resumes in the fourth quarter.

Branham's penalty really bites as the Razorbacks were going to be well on their way to a third straight touchdown drive of the third quarter. Now, Jackson will likey be depended upon to find Marshall somewhere down the field to extend the drive.

1:35, Third Quarter: Arkansas' defense fends off a promising drive by Tennessee by allowing just a field goal. A dropped pass by Staley on the sideline would've been good for a first down.

Razorbacks hold onto a 14-10 lead as the third quarter winds down.

4:28, Third Quarter: Arkansas leads Tennessee 14-7

Arkansas takes its first lead against a Power Conference opponent since the first quarter against Utah in Week Two. At one point, the Razorbacks called 10 consecutive run plays before attempting a 7-yard pass to Chris Marshall to extend the drive.

Razorbacks First Drive of Second Half

That was arguably the best drive of the season by an Arkansas offense that has lacked physicality at the point of attack. Arkansas drove 70 yards down the field on five straight run plays at the teeth of a very active Tennessee defensive line.

Halftime Score: Tennessee 7, Arkansas 0

0:03, Second Quarter: MacIntyre is stripped of the ball, Quincy Rhodes scoops it up and takes it 67 yards the other direction before being pulled down. Arkansas trots out Max Gilbert for a field goal, and it goes wide right and effectively keeps the Razorbacks off the scoreboard before half.

0:35, Second Quarter: MacIntyre found Tennessee's leading receiver Mike Matthews on a post pattern for just his second big time throw of the game. The Razorbacks have given the Vols' offense enough time to either score or kick a field goal to up two scores.

3:05, Second Quarter: Arkansas brought pressure off the right edge from Quincy Rhodes, who picked up his third sack of the season. This defense has done exactly what they need to do to make this a game, but the Razorbacks offense has to figure some things out in the execution department.

From KJ Jackson being errant with his throws, having balls batted in the air, and going away from success in the run game isn't going to result for sustained success.

Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jackson during warmups prior to the Tennessee game. | Nilsen Roman, Hogs On SI Images

Razorbacks Fifth Offense Drive

Apparently there was some chatter between drives for Arkansas as Cramsey's unit started to run north-south plays to keep Tennessee's defense on its heels.

Jackson's third down pass to Ismael Cisse was batted at the line of scrimmage, falling into the dirt as Arkansas is forced to punt away again. Another promising drive going flatter than an unscrewed Dr. Pepper, which has been the case for much of the season.

It didn't make sense to go away from having success in the run game there, another questionable pattern of play calling by Cramsey.

8:04, Second Quarter: Arkansas was able to force Tennessee into a three-and-out as a pass to Staley sailed incomplete. The Razorbacks virtually return to the field with hardly any time coming off the clock and the ball at the 20-yard line for another drive.

Execution is key, and having some way to limit pressures by Knowles' unsophisticated 4-man scheme is vital moving forward. The Hogs showed plenty of hope in the first quarter that they could move the ball, but have been behind the chains more than not midway through the second quarter.

Arkansas Razorbacks offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey views his unit prior to the Tennessee game. | Nilsen Roman, Hogs On SI Images

Arkansas' Fourth Offensive Drive

If there's ever been a time to answer on offense it's now, facing a seven point deficit and an offense struggling to execute consistently.

A first down throw to Marshall gains roughly six yards, but a backward pass to Cam Settles makes it third-and-16. Tennessee's defense is starting to flex its muscle with its unsophisticated pass rush by dropping seven in coverage with nobody open and Jackson rolling left with nowhere to go.

The Razorbacks must capitalize on great plays by running something in with the yards in front of them rather than trying to play east-west against an athletic defensive front.

14:48, Second Quarter: Arkansas' defense continues to battle up front, winning some one-on-one matchups up front even if some designed pressure isn't getting home on pressure for MacIntyre.

Vols wide receiver Braylon Staley found room to run on the outside before getting tripped up by Arkansas linebacker Ja'Quavion Smith with the endzone within reach. Tennessee tight end Trent Thomas found himself wide open in the flat, finding paydirt for his fist career touchdown.

With 10:03 left in the second quarter, Tennessee leads Arkansas 7-0.

Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jackson warms up prior to game against Tennessee Volunteers. | Nilsen Roman, Hogs On SI Images

Razorbacks Third Drive

Arkansas got off to a solid start on this drive with a couple of first down snags by leading receiver Chris Marshall. However, Sutton Smith was dropped for a 4-yard loss, and a pass to Ismael Cisse fell incomplete to end the first quarter still deadlocked at 0-0.

The Razorbacks have played with plenty of effort on both sides of the football, although the defense has executed at a much better rate so far. Arkansas has totaled 82 yards or offense to Tennessee's 49.

It was much of the same on third-and-long as Jackson's pass is broken up by Xavier Gillam at the 25-yard line. Arkansas trotted out Gavin Rush for a 39-yard punt and Tennessee's offense will return to the field again with 14:48 to go until halftime.

5:30, First Quarter: Tennessee starts another offensive drive with a couple of run plays in mostly heavy formations as they have shown most of the season. After three plays to move across midfield, Tennessee is called for a false start moving them behind the chains for second-and-13

Arkansas forces Tennessee into another punt after MacIntyre's pass is complete and well shy of marker.

Defensive coordinator Ron Roberts certainly has his unit prepared today, but it's going to be up to the offense to score — something they've struggled to do much of this season.

Tennessee defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and Arkansas defensive coordinator Ron Roberts speak before the game. | Nilsen Roman, Hogs On SI Images

Arkansas Second Drive

The Razorbacks are struggling to stay ahead of the chains due to self-inflicted wounds such as fumbles and now a couple of penalties that stagnated the drive.

Silverfield continues to embrace the importance of taking care of the controllables, but for some reason allow the same old mistakes to rear its ugly head.

After the punt return, Arkansas is called for an illegal formation which gives Tennessee's offense the ball at their own 42-yard line.

8:47, First Quarter: Arkansas forces Tennessee into a missed field goal, wide right. Much needed stop by the Razorbacks and will need many more defensive stands against a Volunteers defense making his first SEC road start.

First Arkansas Drive

Arkansas drove straight down the field on what apperaed to be a promising opening drive for the Razorbacks offense. Jackson completed both of his passes for 50 yards before fumbling the ball away on a sack.

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