Tennessee left Fayetteville with a 24-17 win, but it took a handful of timely plays from DeSean Bishop, George MacIntyre, and Xavier Gilliam to get the Vols out of a tight spot.
The victory pushed Tennessee to 5-1 and snapped a long skid in Arkansas’ home stadium, where the Vols had not won since 2001. It was not a clean getaway. Tennessee had to fight through mistakes, take back control, and finish the job late.
Bishop delivered the swing moment. With the game tied at 17 and Tennessee backed up at its own six-yard line to start the final scoring march, he ripped off a career-long 59-yard run that suddenly flipped the entire field. Four snaps later, he was in the end zone from eight yards out, and Tennessee was up 24-17 with 1:57 remaining.
That run was the exclamation point on a big afternoon for Bishop. He carried 19 times for 138 yards, good for 7.3 yards per attempt, and he went over 100 yards for the second straight week.
Rocky Top Insider listed his overall PFF grade at 66.7, with his work in pass protection and as a receiver pulling that number down. Still, the late burst was the play that changed everything.
MacIntyre, making his first career start, had a night that showed both the upside and the rough edges. He went 18-for-29 for 247 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions.
His first scoring throw, a five-yard pass to Trent Thomas, got Tennessee on the board. Then, in the fourth quarter, DaSaahn Brame hauled in a 68-yard catch-and-run that helped ignite the comeback, and Brame finished that drive with a one-yard touchdown run.
Those plays mattered because Arkansas had taken control in the third quarter. MacIntyre’s performance earned a 67.2 overall PFF grade, which ranked fourth among Tennessee offensive players. It was a debut with plenty left to clean up, but also one that showed he could help deliver a win on the road in the SEC.
Gilliam set the tone for the defense almost immediately. On Arkansas’ opening possession, he came up with a strip sack and recovered the fumble himself.
He added four tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and two quarterback hurries. Tennessee’s defense kept Arkansas off the board in the first half and allowed just four rushing yards before halftime.
His PFF numbers matched the impact. Gilliam posted a team-best 94.4 overall grade and a 94.0 pass-rush grade. TJ Metcalf led the Vols with nine tackles but received a 55.6 overall grade.
Now the focus turns to Alabama at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee will need a cleaner performance, but Saturday showed the Vols can absorb mistakes, find a spark, and still come through when the pressure is on.
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Tennessee Climbs Again But One Vols Question Still Hangs Over Alabama
Tennessee left Fayetteville with a 24-17 road win over Arkansas and a fresh bump in the AP Poll, climbing one spot to No. 14 as the Vols settle in as the SECs No. 6 team. It was also a notable day for sophomore quarterback George MacIntyre, who made his first start and gave Tennessee a mixed outing with 247 passing yards, one touchdown, two interceptions and a lost fumble in a game that still ended in a conference win.
Josh Heupel did not use the postgame spotlight to lock in the quarterback situation beyond this week, which keeps one of Tennessees biggest questions alive as Alabama comes to Neyland Stadium next. The Vols have plenty to feel good about after responding on the road, but the margin for error tightens quickly now, and the quarterback decision is one more layer to sort out before a marquee SEC showdown. [Read more 🡒]
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Josh Heupel offered a reassuring update on Inges condition, saying he is recovering well and should be released from the hospital around the middle of next week before beginning rehabilitation. For Tennessee, the news brings some needed relief after a quiet, worrying absence, and it gives the program a clearer sense of what comes next for a coach whose presence has been missed on the sideline and in the meeting room. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Heads Into Alabama Week With Something To Prove At Home
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Josh Heupel spent part of last week trying to keep his team grounded, denying Tennessee was peeking ahead to Alabama during the win over Arkansas. Now comes the part that matters most for Tennessees season, and for a fan base that knows how much this rivalry can swing on one game. The Vols will get their chance in front of their own crowd, with plenty still to prove when the Tide arrive. [Read more 🡒]