Tennessee 25-15 Oklahoma (September 21, 2024) Match Report

NORMAN, Okla. — Tennessee coach Josh Heupel won in his return to Oklahoma — the same school he led to a national championship as quarterback in 2000 and fired as offensive coordinator after the 2014 season — as Nico Iamaleava threw for 194 yards to help the sixth-seeded Volunteers beat the Sooners 25-15 on Saturday night.

Iamaveala brought the ball to Heupel shortly after the end of the game.

Dylan Sampson ran for 92 yards and scored a touchdown, Dont'e Thornton Jr. had a 66-yard touchdown reception and Bru McCoy had four catches for 92 yards for the Volunteers.

Tennessee (4-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) held No. 15 Oklahoma to 222 yards in the Sooners' first-ever SEC game.

Jovantae Barnes ran for a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass for Oklahoma (3-1, 0-1). Michael Hawkins Jr. threw for 132 yards as a replacement for starter Jackson Arnold for the Sooners, who was taken out of the game after completing 7 of 16 passes for 54 yards and an interception.

Oklahoma defensive back Kendel Dolby was carried off the field in the second quarter after suffering a serious injury to his right lower leg.

Oklahoma actually recovered Iamaleava's fumbles twice in the second quarter, but both times Arnold fumbled the ball back to Tennessee on the next play. Arnold was benched late in the second quarter after completing 7 of 16 passes for 54 yards and an interception.

Oklahoma gained 20 yards in the second quarter, while Tennessee took a 19-3 lead at halftime.

Tennessee led 22-3 when Hawkins led the Sooners down the field and found Barnes for a 2-yard touchdown pass. The extra point failed after a personal foul turned it into a 35-yard kick, ending Tennessee's streak of 19 consecutive quarters without a touchdown dating back to last season.

The conclusion

Tennessee: The offense was solid, although offensive tackles Lance Heard and John Campbell Jr. were dealing with injuries. Heard did not play and Campbell suffered a leg injury early in the game and was limited. The Volunteers didn't match the crazy numbers of their first three games – they averaged 63.7 points – but it was enough.

Oklahoma: The Sooners were unable to block the Volunteers, so their quarterbacks were under pressure all night. Add to that injuries to receiver Nic Anderson and running back Taylor Tatum during the game, and things got even worse.

Next

Tennessee: Visits Arkansas on Oct. 5

Oklahoma: Visits Auburn on Saturday.

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