Oklahoma Triumphs Over Tennessee in Knoxville, Handing Vols Their Third Defeat of the Season

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — In a highly anticipated matchup, Tennessee hosted Oklahoma for only the second time ever in Knoxville on Saturday. The spectacle, known as the “dark mode” game, concluded with the Sooners emerging victorious, defeating the Volunteers 33-27.

Tennessee started the game on a high note, launching an impressive offensive drive that culminated in a 5-yard touchdown pass to Mike Matthews. This early score gave the Vols a 7-0 lead, igniting excitement in the stands.

However, the advantage was short-lived. As Tennessee’s offense pressed into Oklahoma territory, a critical fumble caused by one of the Sooners’ three first-quarter sacks turned the tide. Oklahoma’s defensive lineman, Mason Thomas, seized the opportunity and returned the fumble 71 yards, leveling the score at 7-7.

Adding to the drama, Tennessee’s Max Gilbert managed to put the Vols ahead once more with a 45-yard field goal late in the first quarter. But in the second quarter, after a missed field goal attempt by the Vols, Oklahoma’s Tate Sandell tied the game with a remarkable 55-yard field goal.

In addition to the on-field action, fans were reminded of past team glory as news emerged about Smokey X, the retired UT mascot, who has been diagnosed with cancer, casting a shadow over the day’s excitement.

In the third quarter, the Vols pulled ahead by a point, with Joey Aguilar making a 54-yard pass to Braylon Staley. The successful extra point from Gilbert brought the score to 17-16 with just under 12 minutes left in the quarter.

While the Vols held the one point lead for most of the third, Oklahoma picked up another touchdown with a four-yard run by Xavier Robinson. Sandell followed those points up with a successful field goal to make the score 23-17, and then picked up another three-point field goal in the fourth.

The Sooners had the ball with less than five minutes remaining, and hope of the Vols pulling back in contention of a win seemed lost.

Cue Edwin Spillman, the linebacker intercepted Mateer. The Vols were still down two scores, but they had possession.

Tennessee ate up about three minutes on the clock before reaching the end zone. A 15 yard pass from Aguilar to Mike Matthews closed the gap to just two points, Tennessee behind 26-24 with 1:56 to go.

In just two plays, the Sooners offset that score with a touchdown of their own . From Tennessee’s 44-yard line, Robinson made a 43 yard rush down the middle of the field, which Oklahoma followed up with a 1 yard run by quarterback John Mateer. At 1:45 left in the game, the score sat at 33-24.

In the 7-play drive back, Tennessee brought the ball back to Oklahoma’s 30 yard line. After an incomplete deep left pass from Aguilar to Mathews, Gilbert picked up a 48 yard field goal.

On the return, Gilbert made an onside kick to Tennessee’s 41 yard line. With just 44 seconds left in the game, Oklahoma was able to run out the clock, ending the game 33-27.

UP NEXT: The Vols have a bye week, followed up by a matchup against New Mexico State on November 15 in Knoxville.

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Oklahoma Triumphs Over Tennessee in Knoxville, Handing Vols Their Third Defeat of the Season

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