News and Notes on Vols-Arkansas Matchup
(utsports.com)– A rested and refreshed Tennessee team returns to Neyland Stadium to host an Arkansas squad with a new-look coaching staff this Saturday afternoon at 4:15 p.m.
Saturday will be the only home game this month for the 12th-ranked Volunteers as they get set to play in front of the 24th consecutive sellout crowd at Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee Athletics will host its fourth annual Champions Weekend, presented by Pilot, in conjunction with Saturday’s game against the Razorbacks. Teams and individuals who won SEC and/or NCAA championships during specific years, including the 1985 and 1990 SEC Championship football teams, will be invited back to Rocky Top to celebrate their achievements.
Additionally, College Football Hall of Famer Doug Dickey will be honored during a first quarter timeout as part of UT’s dedication to a new Championship Corner on the southwest end of Neyland Stadium to its three national champion head football coaches.
NEED TO KNOW
Scoring in Bunches
Tennessee enters this weekend’s contest against the Razorbacks as the only team in the FBS averaging more than 50 points per game (51.0). The Big Orange have scored over 40 points in five straight games for the first time in program history and have tallied 33 total touchdowns – 29 offensive and four defensive. The four defensive scores rank second in the FBS and tops in the Power Four (Louisiana Tech, 5).
Josh Heupel‘s teams have ranked in the top 12 in scoring offense in seven out of his eight seasons as a head coach dating back to his time at UCF. UT’s 255 total points are its most through the first five games of a season in modern era history (since 1933). In the Heupel era (57 games, 2021-present), the Vols are averaging 39.3 points per game and 479.3 yards per game. Those marks rank second and fourth, respectively, in the FBS during that span.
Success Following Open Dates
Under Heupel, UT is 4-1 following an open date and has outscored its opponents 147-105 in such instances. The Vols will look to avenge their only loss after an open date under Heupel this Saturday against the Hogs after falling on the road to Arkansas, 19-14, last season.
Causing Havoc
Tennessee’s defense is among the nation’s best at disrupting offenses and making plays in the opponent’s backfield. Entering Saturday’s game, the Big Orange lead the FBS with 4.2 sacks per game. UT’s 21 total sacks this year are tied for the SEC lead with Oklahoma and tied for second in the nation behind Western Michigan’s 23. The Vols have recorded at least three sacks in every game this season and also rank third in the SEC with 41 tackles for loss.
Aguilar Continues to Shine
UT’s offense continues to roll along thanks in large part to the impressive play of first-year quarterback Joey Aguilar. The veteran signal caller ranks among the SEC leaders in numerous statistical categories, including ranking second in the league in passing yards (1,459) and passing touchdowns (13). The Antioch, California native has thrown for 200 or more yards in all 29 of his career starts and is the FBS active leader in career passing yards per game (274.0) and total offense per game (291.0).
SERIES HISTORY
Tennessee leads, 13-7
Tennessee will be looking to snap a four-game skid against Arkansas and earn its first victory in the series since a 34-13 victory in 2007. The Vols are 6-2 all-time against the Hogs at Neyland Stadium, but Saturday’s contest will mark the first meeting between the two teams in Knoxville since 2015, a 24-20 Razorbacks win.
ABOUT ARKANSAS
Like the Vols, the Razorbacks are also coming off their first bye of the season and used that time to make multiple changes to their coaching staff after parting ways with head coach Sam Pittman. Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino has taken over as the interim head coach, his second stint leading the program after compiling a 34-17 record from 2008-11.
Arkansas has been one of the better offensive teams in the SEC so far this season, ranking fourth in the league in total offense (514.6 ypg) and fifth in scoring offense (37.4 ppg). Redshirt senior quarterback Taylen Green is the catalyst of the Hogs’ balanced attack, leading the SEC in total offense with 367.8 yards per game. Green ranks fourth in the league with 1,398 passing yards and also ranks fourth in the conference with 441 rushing yards while accounting for 14 total touchdowns (12 passing, 2 rushing).
Senior running back Mike Washington Jr. is also having a solid year with 393 rushing yards (6.4 avg) and four touchdowns on the ground. Charlotte transfer wideout O’Mega Blake has been Green’s go-to target in the passing game with a team-leading 30 receptions for 399 yards and three touchdowns.
On the defensive side of the ball, redshirt senior linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr. leads the team with 34 tackles to go along with two tackles for loss, one pass breakup, one interception and one forced fumble. Junior defensive lineman Quincy Rhodes Jr. leads the team and ranks second in the SEC with five sacks while veteran corner Julian Neal leads the secondary with 30 tackles and a pair of interceptions.
