Bishop’s late touchdown carries Tennessee past Arkansas, 24-17

DeSean Bishop scored on an eight-yard run with 1:57 remaining Saturday, giving No. 15 Tennessee a 24-17 win over Arkansas in Fayetteville. Bishop’s 59-yard burst from deep in Tennessee territory set up the winning possession, and the Volunteers’ defense denied Arkansas a response.

Bishop finished with 138 yards on 19 carries. Tennessee’s official recap identified the 59-yard run as the longest of his career and credited him with his second consecutive 100-yard game. His late touchdown completed a fourth-quarter comeback after Arkansas had taken a 14-7 lead in the third.

The winning drive began at Tennessee’s six-yard line after an Arkansas punt. Bishop immediately carried the ball to the Razorbacks’ 35, then gained five yards on each of the next two plays. A facemask penalty on the second run moved the Volunteers closer, and Mike Matthews added a four-yard carry before Bishop finished the possession.

Arkansas had time for another drive, but KJ Jackson threw three consecutive incompletions. The Razorbacks punted with 1:36 remaining. Bishop then gained six and five yards on successive carries, securing the first down Tennessee needed to close the game with kneel-downs.

George MacIntyre made his first career start and completed 18 of 29 passes for 247 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. His five-yard scoring pass to Trent Thomas opened the scoring in the second quarter. Tennessee’s official report described it as the first touchdown of Thomas’ college career, finishing a 10-play, 71-yard drive.

Arkansas answered after halftime. Braylen Russell’s nine-yard touchdown run tied the game, and Jackson’s four-yard pass to Jaden Platt gave the Razorbacks a 14-7 advantage. Cooper Ranvier’s 49-yard field goal reduced the margin before the third quarter ended.

Tennessee reclaimed the lead early in the fourth with another long play. MacIntyre found tight end DaSaahn Brame for a 68-yard catch-and-run to the Arkansas six. After two Bishop carries, Brame scored on a one-yard run, putting the Volunteers ahead 17-14. Brame finished with three receptions for 87 yards and the rushing touchdown.

Arkansas’ Max Gilbert made a 55-yard field goal with 7:20 left to tie the game again. Tennessee’s following possession ended with a MacIntyre interception, but Arkansas could not turn that takeaway into points. Its next punt pinned Tennessee near the goal line, setting up Bishop’s decisive run.

The Volunteers finished with 414 total yards to Arkansas’ 288 despite committing three turnovers. Jackson completed 15 of 27 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown without an interception. Chris Marshall caught seven passes for 56 yards, while Cam Settles led Arkansas with 50 rushing yards.

Tennessee improved to 5-1 and 2-1 in the SEC; Arkansas fell to 2-4 and 0-3. The win was Tennessee’s first in Fayetteville since 2001, according to its official recap. The Volunteers return to Knoxville to host Alabama next Saturday. Arkansas travels to Vanderbilt, having missed its chance to turn a second-half lead into its first conference win.