Key numbers to know, Arkansas 19 – No. 4 Tennessee 14

By Jerry Meadows

FAYETTEVILLE — The Razorbacks knew that after the first five games, the heart of the schedule would begin with increasingly more difficult opponents. On Saturday night the gauntlet began with the Tennessee Volunteers.

On paper, it appeared to be a total mismatch. Statically, Tennessee had all the numbers in its favor. Arkansas had several injuries and in all appearances, they were coming into this game like a wounded animal. But the most dangerous animal in the woods is a wounded one.

Most of the TEs were injured. This situation would make a significant part of Arkansas’ offense extremely hampered.

The only possible good news was that Luke Hasz had become a game-time decision.

What had plagued Arkansas all year was turnovers and penalties. If Arkansas would pull off the upset, these two areas had to be held to a minimum. That would mean no more than one turnover and being penalized less than 50 yards. Accomplishing these two goals would limit the number of opportunities Tennessee would have offensively. Then if Arkansas could cause 2 or more turnovers this would go a long way in giving Arkansas a chance to win the game.

So, when you turn to the numbers though they were heavily in favor of Tennessee. But, had the Tennessee team been pushed yet? Still, by the numbers Arkansas needed to create some fuzzy math.

7.-Arkansas had 7 yards of penalties in the first half.

9.- Luke Hasz started the game

9:12 Arkansas drive put Tennessee behind for the first time of the season.

11.- Braylen Russell ran for another 11 yards to set up the winning TD by Malichi Singleton.

13.-Arkansas #13 in offensive yds/gm – 495

15.- Tennessee rushed for 15 yards in the first half.

21.- Arkansas #45 in rushing offense 212 yds/gm

21. - Tennessee #21 in 3rd down conversions – .492

22. - Tennessee has total net yards in 1st qt. of 22 yds. Arkansas had 115.

24.- Braylen Russell ran for 24 yards on Arkansas’ final drive.

45.- Arkansas #45 yards allowed per/gm 319.4

49.- Tennessee is #49 in first downs.

53.- Sampson ran 53 yards to set up Tennessee’s first TD in the third qt.

76.- Tennessee had 76 yards of offense in the first half.

221.- Arkansas had 221 yards of offense in the first half.

332.- Tennessee finished with 332 total yards of offense.

9:13 - Total time of position for Tennessee in the half.

75,573.- 6th largest crowd in Razorback Stadium

In the end, Tennessee opened the second half with two touchdowns and made Arkansas pay for not finishing their drives in the first half. The vaunted offense of Tennessee which averaged 565 yards per game was stymied by the Razorbacks for most of the game.

However, the history of Arkansas folding like a cheap tent didn’t happen tonight. With their backs to the wall starting quarterback knocked out of the game, Malichi Singleton and Braylen Russell, behind an offensive line that had taken its share of lumps, made it possible for the QB and running back to score the winning touchdown for Arkansas. All in all, this may have been the most significant win for Arkansas in over a decade.