Oklahoma vs Tennessee score: Josh Heupel, Vols win SEC opener vs Sooners

Week 4 of the college football season wrapped up with one of the most highly anticipated games on the 2024 schedule: No. 13 Oklahoma vs No. 7 Tennessee.

And behind an impressive night from their defense, the Vols spoiled the Sooners' SEC debut, defeating Oklahoma 25-15 at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma on Saturday.

With the win, Tennessee coach Josh Heupel won his homecoming to Norman, while the Vols moved to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in SEC play. Heupel led the Sooners to a 2000 national championship, and spent the early part of his coaching career at Oklahoma.

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The Vols defense held the Sooners offense to a total of 222 yards, and forced Oklahoma’s first safety since 2010. Tennessee finished with 11 tackles for a loss of 45 yards, four broken-up passes, three sacks and an interception on the night. 

Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava completed 13 of 21 passes on the night for 194 yards and a touchdown. Iamaleava, however, fumbled the ball twice.

One of the bigger storylines coming out of Saturday’s game for Oklahoma will be coach Brent Venables making a switch at quarterback before halftime, as Michael Hawkins Jr. replaced starter Jackson Arnold just before the half and led both of the Sooners' touchdown drives. Hawkins Jr. completed 11 of 18 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown. 

With that, follow along here for a recap of updates, highlights and scores from Saturday's top-25 matchup: 

Tennessee vs Oklahoma score

Teams	1	2	3	4	F
Tennessee	10	9	3	3	25
Oklahoma	3	0	0	12	15

Tennessee vs Oklahoma updates

(This section has been updated with new information.)

Final: Tennessee 25, Oklahoma 15

Tennessee picks up SEC road win at Oklahoma

Tennessee defeats Oklahoma won 25-15 in Josh Heupel's return to Norman. Vols move to 4-0 on the season and 1-0 in SEC play, while the Sooners drop to 3-1 and 0-1 respectively.

Oklahoma scores late touchdown

OU converts on fourth-and-goal as Jovantae Barnes runs it in from the 1-yard line. Jackson Arnold replaced Michael Hawkins Jr. on the play, after Hawkins Jr. fell hard on the ground on an attempted touchdown run. The scoring drive was set up by roughing the passer penalty from Tennessee. Vols get the ball back with 1:09 remaining and up 25-15 after OU doesn't convert on the 2-point conversion. 

Tennessee settles for field goal 

On a fourth-and-1, Josh Heupel sends out his special teams unit for the field goal. Max Gilbert hits the 32-yard field goal to put the Vols up 25-9 with 3:35 remaining in the fourth quarter. 

Tennessee forces turnover on downs

Oklahoma regains possession after stopping Tennessee, but the Vols force a turnover on downs on the ensuing possession. Tennessee takes over on Oklahoma's 45-yard line.

Oklahoma scores touchdown

The Sooners have some late life as Michael Hawkins Jr. connects with Jovantae Barnes for a 2-yard touchdown reception. OU's score snaps Tennessee's 19-quarter streak without allowing an offensive touchdown. Tennessee now leads 22-9 with 8:25 remaining in the fourth quarter after OU's Tyler Keltner does not hit the PAT. 

Tennessee's Dominic Bailey hit with roughing the pass

Oklahoma moves further into Tennessee territory as Vols defensive lineman Dominic Bailey was hit with a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty. The penalty comes after Michael Hawkins Jr. found Zion Ragins for a 10-yard catch on third-and-2.

Oklahoma's defense forces a punt 

The Sooners' defense comes up with a stop on third down as Kani Walker tackles DeSean Bishop for a loss of a yard. Oklahoma takes over at its own 32-yard line, where it will look to score its first points since the first quarter. 

Third quarter: Tennessee 22, Oklahoma 3

Michael Hawkins Jr. dropped for 16-yard loss

Two plays after Oklahoma completes its longest pass of the night — 13 yards — Tennessee dials up the pressure and sack Michael Hawkins Jr. for a 16-yard loss to bring up third-and-28. The freshman QB gets 10 yards on the next play but that won't be nearly enough for the Sooners. It'll be fourth-and-18 to start the fourth quarter.

Nico Iamaleava, Bru McCoy connect for 42 yards

Tennessee has had a couple long plays called back tonight, but not this one: Nico Iamaleava connects with an outstretched Bru McCoy for a 42-yard gain down to the Oklahoma 28-yard line. That leads to a Max Gilbert 41-yard field goal to give Tennessee a 22-3 lead with 6:03 left in the third quarter.

Michael Hawkins Jr. back in for Sooners

Michael Hawkins Jr. is in for the Sooners out of halftime. Jackson Arnold still has his helmet on but is on the sidelines.

Tennessee starts with the ball

The Vols offense heads out to begin the second half.

First half: Tennessee 19, Oklahoma 3

First half stats

Here's a look at first half stats between Tennessee and Oklahoma: 

• Total yards: Tennessee 204, Oklahoma 82 
• Passing yards: Tennessee 126, Oklahoma 54 
• Rushing yards: Tennessee 78, Oklahoma 28 
• First downs: Tennessee 7, Oklahoma 7 
• Third downs: Tennessee 3 of 10, Oklahoma 1 of 7
• Turnovers: Tennessee 2, Oklahoma 3

Despite two fumbles, Nico Iamaleava was 8 of 11 for 126 yards with a touchdown in the first half. Jackson Arnold was 7 of 16 passing for 54 yards. 

Tennessee leads Oklahoma at half

The Vols showed why they are a top-10 team in the country in the first half, as Tennessee dictated the pace and speed. Josh Heupel's squad takes a 19-3 lead into halftime. 

Oklahoma makes change at quarterback 

Looks like Brent Venables has seen enough from Jackson Arnold this half. He brings in freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. in the Sooners' likely last drive before halftime with Arnold committing three turnovers.

Dylan Sampson scores touchdown for Tennessee

Tennessee goes up 19-3 in the second quarter against Oklahoma as Dylan Sampson lunges backward into the end zone. Sneaky spin move from the running back to set up the score.

Oklahoma gives ball back to Tennessee

For the second time tonight, both teams turn over the ball to each other within seconds. This time, Jackson Arnold threw a lateral pass that was ruled a fumble after the OU receiver couldn't gather it in. The call was confirmed on the field, giving Tennessee the ball on the Oklahoma 46-yard line.

Tennessee fumbles again 

Oklahoma blitzes and closes up the gap for Nico Iamaleava, leading the Vols quarterback to fumble the ball for the second time tonight. Trace Ford forced the fumble and Gracen Halton landed on it. 

Oklahoma's Kendel Dolby has to be carted off the field 

Sooners defensive back Kendel Dolby had to be carted off the field after he went down with an apparent lower-leg injury. The entire Oklahoma team came out onto the field as he was carted off with an air cast.

Vols forces a safety

A false start penalty for Oklahoma ends up costing the Sooners, as Tennessee dials up the pressure on first-and-12 and picks up the safety as Jayson Jenkins tackles Jovantae Barnes in the end zone. Oklahoma continues to struggle on offense in this one.

Tennessee punts ball 

Vols can't convert on the third-and-12 and are forced to punt. Oklahoma takes over at its 12-yard line with 9:17 remaining in the second quarter. 

Jackson Arnold fumbles the ball

Tennessee gets the ball back right away, as Jackson Arnold gets the ball stripped as he goes down on the run. Vols take over at their 7-yard line.

Tennessee turns over the ball with fumble 

Oklahoma dials up the pressure and the Sooners are rewarded for it, as Nico Iamaleava fumbles the ball on Tennessee's 5-yard line. It is the seventh fumble recovery for the Sooners this season, per ESPN's broadcast. 

First Quarter: Tennessee 10, Oklahoma 3

Tennessee scores first touchdown

The Vols don't waste time in the winding seconds of the first quarter, as Nico Iamaleava connects with Dont'e Thornton Jr. in stride for a 66-yard touchdown pass. Tennessee leads 10-3 with three seconds remaining in the first quarter. 

Oklahoma ties it at 3-3 

Oklahoma evens the score at 3-3 as Tyler Keltner hits the field goal. Sooners weren't able to convert on third-and-1. There are 33 seconds remaining in the first quarter. 

Tennessee takes a 3-0 lead 

Vols kicker Max Gilbert hits a 27-yard field goal to give Tennessee an early 3-0 lead vs. Oklahoma. It caps off a six-play drive for 42 yards for Tennessee. 

Jermod McCoy intercepts Arnold

Oklahoma forces a Tennessee three-and-out, but three plays later the Vols regain possession after Jermod McCoy intercepted a pass by Jackson Arnold. Not a lot of offense so far in this one.

Tennessee forces early punt

Vols getting plenty of pressure on OU's offense, forcing another three-and-out. Tyre West recorded a sack on second down to put the Sooners at third-and-long.

Tennessee goes three-and-out

Vols can't get anything going on their drive, going three-and-out and opting to punt. Sooners take over on their own 20-yard line after the punt went into the end zone.

Iamaleava had a nice scramble on second down, but Tennessee couldn't pick up the third-down conversion on a run play with Sampson.

Tennessee forces fourth-down stop

Oklahoma opts to go for it on fourth-and-short at midfield, but the Vols are able to stop the Sooners on the pass play. Tennessee's offense takes over with solid field position.

Pregame

Josh Heupel, Nico ready for kickoff 

Josh Heupel meets with his quarterback, Nico Iamaleava, just before kickoff in Norman. Tennessee is looking to pick up its second signature win of the season vs. Oklahoma after beating NC State in Week 2.

Sam Bradford in attendance for Oklahoma-Tennessee

Former Oklahoma quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford is taking in the Sooners' SEC opener against Tennessee. Bradford won the Heisman Trophy in 2008 as he threw for 4,720 yards and 50 touchdowns that season.

Josh Heupel honored by Oklahoma pregame

Heupel was honored pregame for his return to Norman, as he won the 2000 national championship as the Sooners' starting quarterback. Tennessee-Oklahoma is 20 minutes away from kickoff.

Jackson Arnold, Oklahoma take the field 

Kickoff is just around the corner. Sooners take the field for their first game in the SEC. 

Kirk Herbstreit's dog, Ben, is at Tennessee-Oklahoma

Kirk Herbstreit, who is calling the game for ABC, brought his dog Ben to the game. He's making his pregame walk on the field before sitting in the press box with Herbstreit and Chris Fowler during the game. 

Tennessee, Oklahoma updated injury report 

Here's the updated injury report for Saturday's top-25 SEC matchup between Tennessee and Oklahoma, per the Knoxville News Sentinel's Adam Sparks:

Tennessee injury report

• DB Jourdan Thomas (out)
• DB John Slaughter (out)
• OL Shamurad Umarov (out)
• OT Lance Heard (out)

Oklahoma injury report

• WR Jayden Gibson (out)
• WR Jalil Farooq (out)
• DB Gentry Williams (out)
• OL Geirean Hatchett (out)
• LB Dasan McCullough (out)
• OL Branson Hickman (game-time decision)
• OL Jake Taylor (game-time decision)

Nico Iamaleava getting loose pregame

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava is warming up on the field in pregame. It's his first true road game as a starter.

Josh Heupel, Tennessee arrive to stadium

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel has arrived at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium for Saturday's game. It is Heupel's first game back in Norman after the former Oklahoma quarterback was let go as the Sooners' offensive coordinator in 2014.

Oklahoma uniform vs. Tennessee drops

The Sooners are rocking with their classic crimson and cream home uniform for their SEC opener vs. Tennessee.

Tennessee uniform vs. Oklahoma drops

Tennessee will wear its all-white uniform for Saturday’s SEC road contest at Oklahoma.

Tennessee vs Oklahoma time today

• Date: Saturday, Sept. 21
• Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
• Location: Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (Norman, Oklahoma)

Oklahoma and Tennessee will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 21, from Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma.

What channel is Tennessee vs Oklahoma game on today?

• TV channel: ABC
• Streaming:ESPN+ | Fubo (free trial)
• Radio: KRXO 107.7 FM (Oklahoma) | WIVK-FM 107.7 (Tennessee)

Oklahoma vs Tennessee will broadcast nationally on ABC. Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will call the game from the booth at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma, with Holly Rowe reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+, ESPN's subscription streaming service, and Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Tennessee vs Oklahoma history

• Series record: Oklahoma leads, 3-1
• Tennessee's last win: 1938 (17-0)
• Oklahoma's last win: 2015 (31-24, 2OT)

REQUIRED READING:Josh Heupel's rise at Tennessee is born out of Oklahoma firing that was blessing in disguise

Tennessee vs Oklahoma predictions

Tennessee 41, Oklahoma 24: "While Oklahoma is clearly the best team Tennessee has seen in 2024, I am buying what I have seen from the Vols. They go into a hostile environment led by a freshman quarterback and emerge as not only SEC title contenders but national championship contenders as well."- College Football Network's Colin Lynch

Tennessee 34, Oklahoma 20:"OU's offense has gone through a stretch of at least four straight drives without scoring a touchdown in every game this season. That can't happen on Saturday if it wants to keep up with quarterback Nico Iamaleava and the Volunteers, who rank first in the nation in points per game (63.7). Wide receiver Nic Anderson could make his debut for the Sooners, and that would be a huge boost. But OU still doesn't have much of a run game, and its short-handed offense line will struggle to fend off an elite Tennessee defense line that's led by James Pearce Jr. The Volunteers will come out on top in this one."- The Oklahoman's Justin Martinez

Tennessee 34, Oklahoma 20:"The decisive matchup likely will be the Vols intimidating defensive front against Oklahoma’s revamped but depleted offensive line. I can’t imagine the Sooners overcoming that." - Knoxville News Sentinel's John Adams

REQUIRED READING:Bowl projections: Tennessee joins College Football Playoff field, Kansas State moves up

Tennessee vs Oklahoma betting odds

Game lives and odds from BetMGM as of Saturday:

• Spread: Tennessee -6.5
• Over/under: 57.5
• Moneyline: Tennessee (-250) | Oklahoma (+200)

Tennessee vs Oklahoma injury updates

Here's the injury report for Tennessee vs. Oklahoma from Wednesday, as noted by Knoxville New Sentinel's Adam Sparks:

Tennessee: DB Jourdan Thomas (out), DB John Slaughter (out), OL Shamurad Umarov (out), OT Lance Heard (questionable), DB William Wright (probable), OL William Satterwhite (probable) and LB Ben Bolton (probable)

Oklahoma: WR Jayden Gibson (out), WR Jalil Farooq (out), DB Gentry Williams (out), OL Geirean Hatchett (out), LB Dasan McCullough (doubtful), TE Cade McIntyre (questionable), OL Branson Hickman (questionable), OL Jake Taylor (questionable), WR Nic Anderson (probable), WR Andrel Anthony (probable), DB Kendel Dolby (probable) and OL Troy Everett (probable)

Tennessee vs Oklahoma weather update

According to The Weather Channel's forecast, Saturday is expected to be partly cloudy in Norman, Oklahoma, with a high of 96 degrees. The winds are expected to be 12 mph south with a 2% chance of rain.

Tennessee football 2024 schedule

Here's a look at Tennessee's 2024 schedule, including available start times and TV channel information:

All times Eastern

• Aug. 31: vs. Chattanooga (W, 69-3)
• Sept. 7 (Duke's Mayo Classic): at NC State (W, 51-10)
• Sept. 14: vs. Kent State (W, 71-0)
• Sept. 21: at No. 13 Oklahoma * | 7:30 p.m. | ABC (Fubo)
• Sept. 28: BYE
• Oct. 5: at Arkansas *
• Oct. 12: vs. Florida *
• Oct. 19: vs. No. 4 Alabama *
• Oct. 26: BYE
• Nov. 2: vs. Kentucky *
• Nov. 9: vs. Mississippi State*
• Nov. 16: at No. 1 Georgia *
• Nov. 23: vs. UTEP | 1 p.m. | SEC Network+ (ESPN+)
• Nov. 30: at Vanderbilt *
• Record: 3-0

* Denotes SEC game

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Oklahoma football schedule

Here's a look at Oklahoma's 2024 schedule, including available start times and TV channel information:

All times Eastern

• Aug. 30: vs. Temple (W, 51-3)
• Sept. 7: vs. Houston (W, 16-12)
• Sept. 14: vs. Tulane (W, 34-19)
• Sept. 21: vs. No. 7 Tennessee | 7:30 p.m. | ABC (Fubo)
• Sept. 28: at Auburn *
• Oct. 5: BYE
• Oct. 12: vs. No. 2 Texas * | 3:30 p.m.
• Oct. 19: vs. South Carolina *
• Oct. 26: at No. 5 Ole Miss *
• Nov. 2: vs. Maine | 2:30 p.m. | SEC Network+ (ESPN+)
• Nov. 9: at No. 8 Missouri *
• Nov. 16: BYE
• Nov. 23: vs. No. 4 Alabama *
• Nov. 30: at No. 17 LSU *
• Record: 3-0

* Denotes SEC game

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