The Oklahoma Sooners dropped their first game of the 2024 season to the Tennessee Volunteers, 25-15. Despite a fourth quarter spark from Michael Hawkins, Jr., the Sooners couldn’t overcome their big first-half deficit.
[autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] struggled to protect the football in the first half. Arnold turned the ball over three times, an interception and two fumbles lost. The Sooners defense gave Arnold and the offense the ball in Tennessee’s half of the field, including at the Volunteers five-yard line.
On the very next play, Arnold attempted to run, but the ball was knocked loose, giving it back to Tennessee. That took at least three points off the board but kept the Sooners from keeping pace with the Vols by not being able to get a touchdown there.
The Sooners weren’t able to take advantage of the work the Sooners defense was doing, and eventually, the Volunteer’s explosive offense hit on several big pass plays to take a commanding 19-3 lead into halftime.
Just before the half, the Oklahoma Sooners turned to true freshman quarterback [autotag]Michael Hawkins[/autotag] to lead the offense.
It took a minute for Hawkins to get his legs under him, but in the fourth quarter gave the Oklahoma Sooners’ offense some life. He helped orchestrate a 10-play, 68-yard touchdown drive to cut the lead to 13 after Tyler Keltner’s failed extra-point attempt.
The Sooners’ defense continued to get stops on the high-octane Tennessee offense, even after Brent Venables left his offense on the field on 4th and 14 deep in their own territory. The Sooners defense held Tennessee to a field goal, extending their lead to 16 points.
On Oklahoma’s next drive, Hawkins hit Jaquaize Pettaway on a slant and Pettaway took off for a 48-yard gain, putting the Sooners in the red zone. The Sooners were able to take advantage of a Tennessee roughing the passer penalty on fourth down and Hawkins showed off his athleticism, speed, determination, and heart as he somersaulted into the end zone but was ruled short. On fourth and goal from the one-inch line, Jovantae Barnes plowed into the end zone.
The Sooners weren’t able to convert on the two-point conversion, leaving OU down 10 points with just over a minute to play.
Oklahoma failed to get the onside kick and couldn’t stop Tennessee on 3rd and two, and the Vols were able to run the clock out to win the game.
Hawkins showed good poise and toughness in the second half. He was 11 of 18 for 132 yards and a touchdown. He also led the Sooners in rushing on the evening with 11 carries for 22 yards.
The Sooners offense wasted a strong defensive effort in which they held the No. 1 offense in the country to just 25 points. The Sooners held the No. 3 rushing attack to just 2.9 yards per carry on the night, recovered three sacks, and forced two turnovers.
It was an effort that would be good enough to win if not for Arnold’s play in the first half.
The Sooners now get ready to go on the road to face the Auburn Tigers and look like a team that will have a new starting quarterback next week.
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