In a stunning upset, the Arkansas Razorbacks pulled off a thrilling 19-14 victory over the fourth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday night. The win marked the Razorbacks’ first triumph over a top-5 team since 2007 and their first home win over a top-5 opponent since 1999.
Malachi Singleton, the backup quarterback, led the charge with an 11-yard touchdown run with just 1:17 remaining in the game. Singleton, who took over for injured starter Taylen Green, completed 2 of 3 passes for 31 yards and added 12 yards on the ground, including the game-winning score.
Arkansas coach Sam Pittman praised his team’s preparation and determination, saying, “Our kids, our coaches did a wonderful job of preparing our guys and making them believe that we can go win tonight… These guys are happy. They’re not surprised.”
The Razorbacks overcame a 14-3 deficit in the third quarter, scoring the final 16 points of the game. Ja’Quinden Jackson added 57 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, while Andrew Armstrong led the team with nine receptions for 132 yards.
Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson scored two rushing touchdowns in the third quarter, giving the Volunteers a 14-3 lead. However, Arkansas’ defense held strong, and Singleton’s late touchdown sealed the win.
The loss marked Tennessee’s first defeat since last November, and the Volunteers are likely to drop in the upcoming AP poll. Arkansas, on the other hand, may receive a significant number of votes after recording the biggest win of the Sam Pittman era.
The Razorbacks have now matched their win total from last season and taken a major step towards bowl eligibility. They will enjoy a bye week before hosting No. 13 LSU on October 19. Tennessee, meanwhile, will return home to host Florida next Saturday.
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