The Arkansas Razorbacks put a slight dent in Tennessee’s School Soccer Playoff positioning final season, so coach Josh Heupel’s No. 12 Volunteers will attempt to keep away from a repeat of that recreation on Saturday afternoon in Knoxville, Tenn.
Holding a 13-7 all-time sequence edge, the Volunteers (4-1, 1-1 SEC) will meet up with the new-look Razorbacks (2-3, 0-1) who’ve received the final 4 matchups.
A two-touchdown dwelling underdog final 12 months, Arkansas dealt No. 4 Tennessee its first setback, 19-14.
Because the convention continues an excellent 2025 — eight of the AP High 25’s high 14 at the moment ranked faculties are SEC ones — Tennessee will look to rebound from that disappointing loss in what was a 10-3 season, ending with a crushing first-round CFP exit to eventual nationwide champ Ohio State.
The Arkansas defeat helped power Tennessee to hit the street for an 8-9 matchup that the Buckeyes received simply, 42-17.
The Razorbacks began their bye week by firing sixth-year coach Sam Pittman, who was simply 14-29 in convention play and embarrassed 56-13 by visiting Notre Dame in Week 5. They then promoted offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino on an interim foundation.
Petrino, 64, went 34-17 from 2008 to 2011 with Arkansas, however he was dismissed in April 2012 for a scandal triggered by his mendacity a couple of motorbike accident that concerned him and a feminine assistant with whom he was having a relationship and giving money to.
The OC-turned-HC mentioned his protection must step up towards Tennessee’s pass-slinging first-year quarterback Joey Aguilar, particularly contemplating Petrino fired three defensive coaches on Day 1 on the helm.
“They are a problem, they’ve at all times been a problem,” Petrino mentioned. “They unfold the sector, however they wish to run the ball. So the most important problem is, how do you defend the cross and cease the run?”
The Volunteers lead in nation in scoring (51 pts per recreation) and rank sixth in complete offense (536.4 yards per recreation).
“I went into a variety of video games the place you thought, ‘Aw, man, that is going to be a shootout,’ and at halftime, it is 10-9,” mentioned Petrino, who has lowered game-week observe from 4 days to 3 and determined to maneuver from the press field to the sidelines to run his offense. “Actually, I really feel like we have to go in and be capable to transfer the ball and rating factors.”
Heupel’s orange-clad defenders should decelerate Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Inexperienced, who leads the nation with 367.8 complete yards per recreation.
The 6-foot-6, 224-pound former Boise State standout has tossed 12 TDs and produced two 100-yard dashing video games.
“You have to play gap-sound and get off the blocks,” Heupel mentioned Monday of containing the Lewisville, Texas, playmaker. “He is dynamic. He is obtained nice lengthy velocity, and you have got to have the ability to sort out him. Within the completely different buildings we’re taking part in (up entrance defensively), our hole integrity goes to be vital.”
Added Heupel: “Bobby’s performed it at a very excessive stage for a very very long time. It is a good soccer workforce … which will have been on the unsuitable facet of the scoreboard slightly bit.”
Heupel mentioned All-American cornerback Jermod McCoy “continues to do an excellent job” in his restoration from ACL surgical procedure, however will probably be unavailable.
–Subject Degree Media
