In a highly anticipated Week 4 matchup, the No. 6 Tennessee Volunteers defeated the No. 15 Oklahoma Sooners 25-15, marking a special moment for Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel. The win was significant not only because it improved the Volunteers to 4-0 (1-0 SEC), but also because Heupel returned to Oklahoma, where he once led the Sooners to a national championship as a quarterback in 2000. Saturday’s victory came against the same program that let him go as offensive coordinator in 2014, making the win all the more poignant.
Led by sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who threw for 194 yards, the Volunteers showcased a balanced offensive effort. Running back Dylan Sampson rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown, while Dont’e Thornton Jr. provided a highlight play with a 66-yard touchdown reception. Bru McCoy also played a vital role in the passing attack, hauling in four catches for 92 yards.
The Tennessee offense, usually known for its high-paced, explosive style, took a different approach in this game. The Volunteers controlled possession for nearly 36 minutes, leaning on a dominant defense to limit Oklahoma to just 222 yards of total offense in the Sooners’ SEC debut.
Tennessee’s defense played a crucial role in the victory. They kept the Sooners out of the end zone for the majority of the game, building a 22-3 lead before Oklahoma finally scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Jovantae Barnes, the Sooners’ running back, ran for a score and caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr., who replaced an ineffective Jackson Arnold late in the second quarter. Arnold completed just 7 of 16 passes for 54 yards and threw a costly interception before being benched.
Hawkins finished with 132 passing yards, but Oklahoma (3-1, 0-1 SEC) struggled to establish a rhythm offensively, especially after Tennessee’s defense disrupted the Sooners’ early drives. The Sooners’ lone touchdown drive came when Hawkins led the team downfield and connected with Barnes for a score, though a personal foul penalty pushed the extra point back to a 35-yard attempt, which was missed.
Tennessee’s defense, which hadn’t allowed a touchdown in its last 19 quarters dating back to the 2023 season, saw that streak end on the Barnes touchdown, but the Volunteers still held firm to close out the victory.
For Heupel, the win was an emotional triumph, as he not only silenced critics but also returned to the program where his coaching career had faced adversity. The victory adds momentum to Tennessee’s early-season run and serves as a statement as they head deeper into their SEC schedule.
Tennessee’s methodical play and defensive grit on the road proved they are more than just an offensive juggernaut. They have the tools to compete for an SEC championship, and this win in Norman was a pivotal step in that journey.
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