Oklahoma-Tennessee: LIVE In-Game Observations

John Hoover, Ryan Chapman, Randall Sweet and Dekota Gregory offer their real-time observations as the No. 15-ranked Sooners host the No. 6 Tennessee Volunteers in OU's first SEC contest.

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables stands on the field during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Tennessee Volunteers at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. / BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

NORMAN — Sooners on SI offers real-time observations throughout Saturday's Week 4 matchup between Oklahoma and the Tennessee Volunteers. Newest posts are at the top. Just keep your browser open and refresh often.

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9:24 p.m.

Somehow, Oklahoma’s defense continues to get stops. 

They’ve been on the field 13 minutes longer than Tennessee’s defense, but Venables’ unit is hanging in there. 

No support from the offense, but if this thing gets really ugly it’s not because of the defense. They’ve held off as long as you could hope. 

— RC 

9:12 p.m.

Iamaleava connected with McCoy for a 42-yard completion, but OU’s defense forced a field goal. 

The Vols now lead 22-3 with 6:03 left in the third quarter. 

— RC 

9:05 p.m.

Michael Hawkins’ first series of the second half went nowhere. 

Regardless of what was happening at quarterback, the Sooners are getting dominated both up front and on the perimeter. 

The offensive line can’t block, the tight ends and receivers are struggling, it’s just been an awful product all-around. 

But no turnover from Hawkins, so that’s progress. 

Tennessee will take over on its own 23-yard line. 

— RC 

8:34 p.m.

Tennessee takes a 19-3 lead into halftime, and the Volunteers will get the ball back. 

This game feels over, but it’ll be a huge second half for Hawkins. 

The offensive line issues aren’t going to magically disappear, but the second half will be a chance for the true freshman to show he’s the guy to roll with heading into Auburn next weekend. 

That first half from the defense would be good enough to keep the Sooners in any game this year — if OU has a functional offense. 

— RC 

8:29 p.m.

True freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. has replaced Jackson Arnold. The crowd erupted.

Hawkins fumbled the first snap, think you just have to laugh at this point.

— RC 

8:27 p.m.

The defense was only ever going to be able to hold up for so long. 

OU’s offense has only been able to stay on the field for 10:17 of this first half. 

The line has been bad, but Arnold has been worse. 

Tennessee finally was able to lean on OU’s defense to close out the half. 

Heupel opts against going for the two-point conversion after Iamaleava’s touchdown, no need to give Oklahoma any semblance of hope. 

Vols on top 19-3 with 1:40 left in the first half, and I expect we’ll see a quarterback change for the final drive of the half. 

— RC 

8:17 p.m.

Game now teetering on blowout territory. That brutally bad throw by Jackson Arnold was ruled a lateral, and Tennessee takes over at the OU 41. The OU defense gives up a third-down conversion, and the Vols have 4:05 with a first down at the OU 28 to add to their 12-3 lead.

Before the replay was announced as a lateral and gave Tennessee possession, backup quarterbacks Casey Thompson and Michael Hawkins began warming up – and they still are.

Hawkins looked ready to go when OU got possession at its own 4-yard line two possessions ago. It appears he (or Thompson) will be next.

– JH

8:15 p.m.

Jackson Arnold needs to be done for the night.

He gets hit with a fumble the next play… again. 

Casey Thompson and Michael Hawkins were warming up during the review. 

He’s thrown away all the defense’s work tonight with a pair of fumbles and an interception. 

— RC 

8:12 p.m.

Oklahoma’s defense is legit. It’s here. 

Trace Ford forced another fumble from Iamaleava and Gracen Halton recovered. 

Sooners with the ball at Tennessee’s 33-yard line. 

Can the offense do anything right? We shall see. 

 — RC 

8:10 p.m

Man. Arnold finally makes something happen, escaping a couple of sack attempts, and slips a first-down throw to Bauer Sharp, but the ball slips right through his hands.

This offense is going absolutely nowhere, and it’s happening in slow motion.

 – JH

8:10 p.m.

Oklahoma wishes it had Josh Heupel’s 2014 offense right now. 

— RC 

8:03 p.m.

After Kendel Dolby is secured and ready to be carted off the field, it looks like he’s gonna miss significant time. But before he goes, the entire Oklahoma football team rushes out to him to offer their good wishes. It’s a nice moment, but it’s tough to watch. Dolby is a great player and an enjoyable person to be around. Hoping he’ll bounce back.

 – JH

8:00 p.m.

Kendel Dolby is down after that first-down play. It does NOT look good. Like, long-term. Stinks for him and definitely a hit for this defense.

– JH

7:58 p.m.

Squirrel White slips on Zach Schmit’s kickoff at the Tennessee 7-yard line.

Maybe Oklahoma’s defense can generate another scoring opportunity here.

– JH

7:55 p.m.

Oklahoma’s offensive line gets obliterated again. Tennessee running through like a hot knife through butter. 

This one cost the Sooners a safety. 

Tennessee up 12-3 with 9:12 left until halftime. 

— RC 

7:50 p.m.

The defense is doing all it can. 

Put up or shut up time for the offense. 

— RC 

7:42 p.m.

Ok, that’s it. I’m calling for Michael Hawkins to replace Jackson Arnold.

The Sooners just got a gift when Robert Spears-Jennings uncorked a safety blitz, forced a fumble by sacking Iamaleava and Ethan Downs recovered at the UT 5.

Then Arnold fumbles on the very next play – and ad-lib by him after he was supposed to pitch the football to Jovantae Barnes.

Time for Hawkins to get in there and see what he can do. Arnold has officially reached Spencer Rattler-against-Texas status. It doesnt have to be permanent. But clearly Arnold needs to see the game from a different perspective.

If Lincoln Riley can bench his quarterback in the biggest game of the year, so can Brent Venables.

– JH

7:41 p.m.

I mean… Arnold has been dreadful. 

Coughs it up. I wonder what Dillon Gabriel is up to right now.

— RC 

7:40 p.m.

Timely. 

Robert Spears-Jennings forces a fumble that Ethan Downs recovers. 

Oklahoma ball on the 5-yard line. Has to be a touchdown. 

Elite work from the OU defense. 

— RC 

7:36 p.m.

Jackson Arnold with another absolutely awful possession. His feet weren’t even close to set as he unleashed a screen to Jovantae Barnes, and the ball is 2-yards away from Barnes – bad form, bad throw, bad timing (too early; the blocking hadn’t begun to set up) and no touch on the throw. Then he overthrows Brenen Thompson on a deep ball down the right sideline by 4 yards.

The leader of this team absolutely has to be better than that – much better.

– JH

7:37 p.m.

Oklahoma’s defense is going to have to find the gear to go from good to elite tonight. 

OU’s offensive line is getting whooped, yet Jackson Arnold has somehow been worse tonight. Still plenty of time for the offense to figure it out, but it’s been uninspiring stuff through the first 16 minutes. 

— RC 

7:33 p.m.

It’s 10-3 after one quarter. Jackson Arnold is 6/11 for 55 yards and has run three times for 1 net yard. His longest completion is 12 yards. Deion Burks leads OU with three catches for 24 yards. OU’s leading rusher is Burks with 18 yards on two end-around carries.

– JH

7:32 p.m.

Here are the stats after one quarter in Norman:

First quarter stats for Oklahoma vs. Tennessee / OU Stats

7:28 p.m.

Kani Walker just got beat off the line there on that 66-yard touchdown pass to Dont’e Thornton, and Thornton outran Walker and the backside support easily. Thornton released inside and was uncontested. Walker has been a frequent victim of deep posts and over routes going back to last season as well as by Deion Burks in the spring game.

Vols lead it 10-3, and Josh Heupel is smiling big.

– JH

7:26 p.m.

Kani Walker just got absolutely scorched. 

Iamaleava finds Thornton Jr. for 66 yards to put the Vols back on top in what looked like a simple foot race. 

Tennessee on top 10-3 with three seconds left in the first quarter. 

— RC 

7:25 p.m.

Thought the offensive line did a pretty good job that drive other than the third-and-1 play right before Keltner’s field goal. 

Was good to see the running game get into rhythm and I’m sure Arnold is relieved it’s only tied after his pick. Solid response all around. 

— RC 

7:22 p.m.

Arnold looked a little more comfortable on that drive because all his throws were short, quick outs and slants, and he wasn’t made to pray for prolonged protection.

Tyler Keltner’s 37-yard field goal makes it 3-3, 33 seconds left in the first quarter.

– JH

7:16 p.m.

Looked like clever pressure dialed up there on third down by Zac Alley and Brent Venables. Nico Iamaleava had no idea where to go with the football, and he got away with a very creative scramble, but was held to no gain by Kip Lewis and Danny Stutsman.

– JH  

7:14 p.m.

Oklahoma avoids a catastrophic result after Arnold’s pick. 

The defense held strong after allowing a 38-yard reception to Bru McCoy and Tennessee had to settle for a field goal. 

That’s been the one weakness for the Vols so far, they’ve had to settle for far too many field goals through the first three weeks playing awful competition. 

Tennessee on top 3-0 with 3:45 left in the first quarter. 

— RC 

7:12 p.m.

Really poor inside leverage by Woodi Washington on that slant pass to Bru McCoy, who caught it uncontested, then stiff-armed Washington away and juked Peyton Bowen for a 38-yard gain.

There’s that explosive Vols offense we’ve seen all season

– JH

7:10 p.m.

Jackson Arnold looks tentative again, slow to process the game, indecisive about either letting loose of a throw or planting his foot and running.

I don’t know. Maybe Michael Hawkins gets a look tonight. Maybe he deserves a look.

– JH

7:07 p.m.

I can’t for the life of me figure out what Jackson Arnold thought he saw. J.J. Hester was covered underneath and over the top, and a third Tennessee defender was in the area. That’s a poor decision and a terrible throw, and the result is Oklahoma’s first turnover of the night.

How long can the OU defense hold up against that?

– JH

7:06 p.m.

Jackson Arnold makes the first silly mistake of the day. 

Awful throw by Arnold, missed J.J. Hester short by at least five yards, and Tennessee is back at midfield. 

— RC 

7:04 p.m.

Jayden Jackson, Robert Spears-Jennings and Lewis Carter just made three solo tackles to force another Tennessee three-and-out – all were big, hard hits. The OU defense definitely looks SEC ready. Wow.

Tennessee came into tonight with just two three-and-outs this season. That’s the second of the night against this Sooner D.

– JH

7:05 p.m.

Wow, what a huge mistake by Tennessee tight end Ethan Davis. 

He blocked out of bounds, drawing a 15-yard penalty. Bailed OU out of losing the field position battle for the rest fo the quarter. 

Jackson Arnold will take over with the offense on the 33-yard line. 

— RC 

7:02 p.m.

Holy Lewis Carter, Batman. 

He just obliterated Squirrel White on that swing pass. 

Hot pursuit. 

— RC 

7:00 p.m.

Per our man Randall Sweet down on the field, Nic Anderson is headed to the locker room. 

#Sooners wideout Nic Anderson heading back to the locker room

— Randall Sweet (@RandallSweet5) September 21, 2024

Not good. 

— RC 

6:57 p.m.

More missed assignments. 

That drive died because tight end Jake Roberts whiffed on second down to allow Arnold to get killed. 

— RC 

6:55 p.m.

Tight start here in Norman.

Oklahoma’s defense did its job tackling on first down, and didn’t get killed by Iamaleava’s strong rush on second down. 

Good run defense and Heupel tried to play field position with the punt. 

Time for this thing to settle in. 

— RC 

6:53 p.m.

Oklahoma’s defense was up the task after that quick change, forcing a three-and-out and a punt into the end zone. Kind of an uneven start, but after one series, it’s advantage Oklahoma.

– JH

6:50 p.m.

Oklahoma’s starters on defense:

Terry - Williams - Downs 

Dolby - Stutsman - Lewis 

Walker - Bowman - Bowen - Spears-Jennings - Malone 

— RC 

6:47 p.m.

What a bad break for Oklahoma: Jackson Arnold and Branson Hickman catch a Tennessee defender offsides, and Arnold throws a 76-yard touchdown pass to Brenen Thompson. But the play is blown dead as Michael Tarquin’s jump killed the play and resulted in a 5-yard penalty on third-and-11. Arnold-to-Deion Burks convert on a third-and-5 slant, but Arnold’s third-and-6 scramble comes up short, and Arnold’s fourth-and-1 throw to Nic Anderson is blown up. Tennessee football at the 50.

– JH

6:46 p.m.

Oklahoma’s starters on offense:

Sexton - Ozaeta - Hickman - Nwaiwu - Tarquin 

Anderson - Sharp - Burks

Tatum - Arnold - Barnes 

— RC 

6:43 p.m.

Tennessee won the toss and deferred to the second half.

Jackson Arnold will get the ball first. 

— RC 

6:26 p.m.

The projected starters were just announced on the video boards. Center Branson Hickman got a rousing ovation. Then wideout Nic Anderson was announced, and the place went nuts.

This fan base has missed their offense.

— JH

6:18 p.m.

Josh Heupel was welcomed back on the video board before each team moved back to the locker room. 

That will just about do it for the niceties here in Norman. 

Bring on the band. 

— RC 

5:50 p.m.

Wow. Branson Hickman is snapping to Jackson Arnold in pregame (the spot reserved for the starting center). Troy Everett is snapping to Michael Hawkins (second string), and Joshua Bates is snapping to Casey Thompson. 

— RC 

5:47 p.m.

Josh Heupel and Seth Littrell just shared a pretty long hug at midfield. All smiles for both offensive minds before getting back to business as both teams warm up on Owen Field.

— RC 

5:35 p.m.

The wait continues. Offensive linemen Branson Hickman and Jake Taylor are game-time decisions.

Off the field, the atmosphere around the stadium has been incredible. Electric starting on Friday on Campus Corner, and even the students fully filled their section 75 minutes before kickoff.

The fanbase IS ready for the SEC.

— RC