In a stunning Week 6 college football matchup, Arkansas delivered a memorable upset, defeating No. 4 Tennessee 19-14. Malachi Singleton, stepping in as the backup quarterback, scored the game-winning touchdown on an 11-yard run with just 1:17 remaining. The Razorbacks (4-2, 2-1 SEC) clawed their way back from a 14-3 third-quarter deficit to earn their first home victory over a top-five opponent since their 1999 triumph over No. 3 Tennessee.
The game took a dramatic turn when starting quarterback Taylen Green, a transfer from Boise State, left due to injury. Singleton, thrust into action, delivered when it mattered most. He orchestrated the game-winning drive, completing 2 of 3 passes for 31 yards while adding 12 yards on the ground, including the decisive touchdown. His composed performance electrified the home crowd and marked a defining moment in the young quarterback’s career.
Arkansas’ win came on a day of chaos in the Southeastern Conference, as earlier in the afternoon, No. 1 Alabama fell to Vanderbilt. The twin upsets marked the first time two top-5 SEC teams had lost on the same regular-season weekend since October 6, 2012, when No. 4 LSU and No. 5 Georgia both suffered defeats. It was also the first time in two decades that two top-5 teams were beaten by unranked opponents on the same day, a feat last seen on October 30, 2004, when No. 4 Miami and No. 5 Florida State both stumbled.
The loss was a bitter pill for Tennessee (4-1, 1-1 SEC), which saw its College Football Playoff hopes take a significant hit. Nico Iamaleava, the Volunteers’ quarterback, put together a gritty performance, going 16-for-28 for 156 yards. He engineered a final drive that brought Tennessee to the Arkansas 20-yard line with time winding down. However, on a fourth-and-5 play, Iamaleava was forced out of bounds at the 16-yard line as time expired, sealing the Volunteers’ fate.
Tennessee’s offense had leaned heavily on running back Jaylen Wright, who delivered a game-high 140 yards on 22 carries. But after building a 14-3 lead in the third quarter, the Volunteers struggled to sustain drives against a resilient Arkansas defense. The Razorbacks’ ability to contain Iamaleava and limit Tennessee’s scoring opportunities down the stretch proved pivotal.
Arkansas found success in the running game, with Ja’Quinden Jackson carrying the load. He rushed for 57 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, providing a consistent threat that helped wear down Tennessee’s defense. Meanwhile, wide receiver Andrew Armstrong emerged as a reliable target, hauling in nine receptions for 132 yards. His contributions kept the chains moving and set up key scoring opportunities.
Defensively, the Razorbacks tightened up when it mattered most, stifling Tennessee’s offense in the fourth quarter. Arkansas’ ability to make critical stops in the second half gave their offense the chance to mount the comeback, capped off by Singleton’s decisive touchdown run.
As the final whistle blew and Iamaleava’s scramble came up short, Razorback Stadium erupted in celebration. Arkansas fans, overjoyed by their team’s first home win over a top-five opponent in 25 years, stormed the field in a scene of jubilation. The upset victory not only keeps Arkansas’ bowl hopes alive but also reaffirms their resilience in the face of adversity.
The loss sends Tennessee back to the drawing board as they try to rebound from their first setback of the season. The Volunteers will need to regroup quickly if they hope to stay in the hunt for the SEC title and a potential playoff spot. Arkansas, on the other hand, has newfound momentum heading into the second half of their season, with an opportunity to build on this signature win.
With this upset, Week 6 will be remembered as a defining moment in the 2024 college football season, where Arkansas rose to the occasion and shook up the SEC hierarchy.
