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Tennessee football: Ranking Vols four road wins all time at Arkansas

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning looks for a receiver during the Vols' 38-21 victory over Alabama Saturday, Oct. 19, 1997, in Birmingham. Manning had his sixth straight 300-yard game and became first SEC quarterback to beat Alabama three times.Ut Peyton Manning Qb 1997
Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning looks for a receiver during the Vols' 38-21 victory over Alabama Saturday, Oct. 19, 1997, in Birmingham. Manning had his sixth straight 300-yard game and became first SEC quarterback to beat Alabama three times.Ut Peyton Manning Qb 1997 /
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ATLANTA – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Casey Clausen #7 of the University of Tennessee Volunteers watches the game against the University of Maryland Terrapins during the first half of the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2002 in Atlanta, Georgia. Maryland won 30-3. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ATLANTA – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Casey Clausen #7 of the University of Tennessee Volunteers watches the game against the University of Maryland Terrapins during the first half of the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2002 in Atlanta, Georgia. Maryland won 30-3. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

13. 839. 3. 844. Final

Sept. 8, 2001; Razorback Stadium; Fayetteville, Ark.

We now look at Tennessee football’s most recent road win ever over the Arkansas Razorbacks, and there’s historical significance to this one. People may forget, but this was the last game the Vols played before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that altered our nation’s history took place.

UT came into this game with a 1-0 record and ranked No. 8 after an ugly 33-9 win over Syracuse the week before. Houston Nutt’s Hogs were also 1-0 after surviving the UNLV Rebels 14-10 in their opener.

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Weather was the story in this game. There were two lightning delays in the first half that killed the momentum, but UT’s offense couldn’t buy a point in that half. Arkansas, meanwhile, got a field goal, set up by one long run from Cedric Cobbs and went into halftime up 3-0.

In the third quarter, the rain began to pour. The Vols drove into field goal range on their opening drive, but Alex Walls’ attempt banged off the upright, and the score stayed 3-0 in this ugly game. UT played field position, punting at one point on 4th and 1 from the Arkansas 41.

However, That decision proved apt, as Arkansas was pinned deep, got nothing, and then shanked a punt. With the ball in field goal range, UT finally tied it up in the fourth quarter as another Walls kick hit the upright and bounced in.

That was the spark the Vols needed. They forced another punt, got the ball near midfield, and drove into field goal range again to take a 6-3 lead. Then Eddie Moore intercepted a pass on the next drive, and UT added insurance as Travis Stephens, on his 41st carry, scored the only touchdown of the game.

Related Story. Tennessee-Arkansas: 10 keys to the game. light

This was a 13-3 ugly win for the Vols, but some things stood out. Stephens, who was not considered a back who could shoulder the load, had his breakout game with over 200 yards on the day, and the defense did not allow a first down in the second half. They were supposed to play the Florida Gators the next week, but then Sept. 11 happened.

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