Arkansas
Tennessee Volunteers Defensive Grade Report vs Arkansas
Tennessee suffered their first football loss of the 2024 season. That loss would come from the hands of Arkansas in Fayetteville. The final score was 19-14 and the Vols would drop down to No. 8 in the AP Poll.
The defensive effort was judged differently by many social media entities which led to Tennessee on SI bringing their opinions on the defensive grade report of each position group.
This group played well for the majority of the contest only giving up a few big plays in the run game. They did a great job limiting Taylen Green’s running ability holding him to -5 yards on the day with 9 attempts to break through. That was the clear game plan coming into the game as they would hope to stop Green’s passing ability and would struggle to do so. Tennessee would sack Green only twice. Once from star edge rusher James Pearce Jr. and another from Daevin Hobbs. Tennessee also did a good job with tackles for loss having seven total. Even the ones that were credited to the defensive backs or linebackers were thanks to a great defensive line play a majority of the time. Bryson Eason would have an injury in this one and wouldn’t return which isn’t a good sign.
The Vols linebackers did a great job stopping anything that got through the defensive line. Not many plays made it past the second level in the run game. Keenan Pili would have an amazing game having 14 total tackles with 4 solo tackles on the day. Arion Carter would have 1.5 TFLs, 8 total tackles, and 1 pass deflection on the day to be the complete counterpart to an already solid version of Pili. Jeremiah Telander wasn’t a drop-off when subbing in and he looked like he belonged out there. The worst factor about this is the amount of passes across the middle. Overall it was a solid day for this group.
This was the worst Tennessee group of the day. Tennessee could not get a stop in the secondary. Multiple players would dominate the defensive backroom. Tennessee would not only get beat in the pass game but they would be exposed. There weren’t many bright spots in this group and a lot of this is because of great passes from Green. Andre Armstrong would have 9 catches for 132 yards on the day and Isaiah Sategna would have 5 catches for 72 yards. Tennessee cannot struggle like this when they play even more talented groups such as Alabama when they will face players like Ryan Williams. If this carries over it will be a long season.
Tennessee is set to take on the Florida Gators in their next contest as they return to Neyland Stadium after a two game and three week road stretch.
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Arkansas
Arkansas State Police release details in crash that killed one Greenwood student and injured another | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
HUNTINGTON — Details of the crash that left a Greenwood High School student dead have been released by the Arkansas State Police.
Chloe Walters, 19, of Huntington was driving a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu northbound on U.S. 71 in Huntington around 3:10 p.m. Thursday when the crash occurred, according to a fatal crash report from the State Police. The Malibu lost control and traveled into the southbound lane and was struck by a southbound 2022 Dodge Ram 1500 driven by Daran Stovall, 58, of El Paso, the report states.
A female minor passenger in Walters’ vehicle died, according to the report.
A social media post from the Greenwood School District states Walters’ sister, Cadence Walters, was killed in the crash.
Chloe Walters and Stovall were both injured in the crash and taken to Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, according to the State Police.
The trooper investigating the crash reported the weather was rainy and the road wet at the time of the accident.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of Cadence and the ongoing medical situation with Chloe. Both students are active and well loved throughout the school community,” the School District’s post states. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Walters family during this incredibly difficult time. As a school community, we stand together to support them in every way possible.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the Walters family where those wishing to help may make donations. By Saturday afternoon, the page had raised $12,242 of a $20,000 goal with 198 donations received.
Greenwood High School counselors are available for students, staff and community members who need support, the district’s post states.
Anyone needing assistance may email info@greenwoodk12.com or reach out to a school counselor, teacher or administrator through the School Status app, the post states.
Arkansas
Green's MVP performance propels Arkansas to Liberty Bowl win
Arkansas (7-6, 3-5 SEC) won its final game of the 2024 season with a 39-26 victory over Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl on Saturday behind a strong performance by quarterback Taylen Green.
The redshirt junior, who just wrapped up his first season with the Razorbacks, finished the game with 422 yards of total offense — 341 through the air and 81 on the ground. He ended the game tied with running back Rodney Hill as the Hogs’ leading rusher in the game and Green was named Liberty Bowl MVP for his efforts.
“I think it was a fast start,” Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman said after the game. “(The defense) made a fourth down stop and then really the offense took over. Taylen took over. We have Taylen Green, a lot of teams don’t and it gives us opportunity to win.”
The Razorbacks started the game firing on all cylinders and scored on each of their first three possessions. Green was a key cog in that machine, as he scored the first touchdown of the game on a 12-yard rush. He followed that drive up by showcasing his arm with passes of 17 yards and 56 yards to wide receiver Issac TeSlaa, which set up a touchdown run by running back Braylen Russell on the goal line.
Touchdown No. 3 of the first quarter came on a slant route to redshirt freshman receiver Dazmin James, who caught Green’s pass and took it 94 yards to the end zone — the longest pass play in Arkansas program history.
Texas Tech didn’t go down without a fight, though. The Red Raiders cut the lead to 24-19 by halftime, and Arkansas needed another spark. Cue Green again, who found running back Tyrell Reed Jr. alone and unguarded for a 43-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter.
“(Reed), he’s always ready,” Green said after the game. “He’s always in the back learning whether it’s from (Ja’Quinden Jackson) or from (Rashod Dubinion). From (Rodney Hill). He’s always taking things in, asking questions. When he had his opportunity to shine, he made the most of it.”
A native of Lewisville, Texas, Green only had one blemish on his stat line, as he was sacked in the end zone for a safety in the second quarter, but Pittman said afterward that a blocking miscue in the backfield led to the miscue.
Green’s 341 passing yards broke the previous Arkansas record in a bowl game, which was set by Bill Montgomery, who threw for 338 against Ole Miss in the 1970 Sugar Bowl.
The former Boise State transfer also became the first Arkansas passer to eclipse 300 yards in a bowl game since Brandon Allen threw for 315 yards in the 2016 Liberty Bowl against Kansas State.
“I’m gonna take (the MVP trophy) to my parents’ crib,” Green said. “Shout out to my mom, shout out to my dad, shout out to my sisters, and we gonna celebrate.”
Arkansas football’s 2024 season has now come to a close. Up next, the Razorbacks will look to close out transfer portal season strong. Be sure to follow along at The Trough premium message board for updates on the offseason recruiting action.
Arkansas
Taylen Green provides offseason hope in Arkansas football’s Liberty Bowl win over Texas Tech
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Hope springs eternal every offseason, but Arkansas football got the optimism train for 2025 off the tracks Friday night in its 2024 season finale.
The Razorbacks (7-6) led from start-to-finish in a 39-26 victory over Texas Tech at the Liberty Bowl. The Hogs racked up 559 yards on offense, held the Red Raiders (8-5) to just seven points in the second half and played a near-perfect game on special teams. In all three phases, Arkansas executed, giving the Razorbacks their third winning season in the past four years under head coach Sam Pittman.
But there is also a beacon to the hope in the form of redshirt junior quarterback Taylen Green. The Texas native was dynamic against the Red Raiders, throwing for 341 yards and running for 81 more. He accounted for three touchdowns, and as Arkansas ran away in the second half, Texas Tech’s defense had no answer.
Green will return to Arkansas for his final college season next year, and why shouldn’t coaches or fans believe he can give SEC defenses the same issues in 2025?
“Taylen took over,” Pittman said. “We have Taylen Green, a lot of teams don’t, and it gives us opportunity to win.”
Green did all of the things Arkansas fans have seen in flashes throughout the season Friday night. He hit receivers in stride and extended plays with his legs. Some of those resulted in long runs, and others finished with him finding an open target on the move.
The quarterback led Arkansas to touchdowns on its first three possessions of the game and slammed the door shut on a potential Texas Tech comeback with a 47-yard touchdown pass to Tyrell Reed Jr. in the third quarter. It was the first reception of Reed’s Arkansas career.
A similar milestone was set in the first quarter. The first catch of Dazmin James’ college career resulted in a 94-yard touchdown that gave Arkansas a 21-3 lead. It was the longest touchdown reception in Arkansas history and the longest pass in Liberty Bowl history.
“It’s crazy, we were talking about that slant in the hotel, the whole week, and it came to fruition,” Green said.
Reed and James’ production keyed the Arkansas victory, but it also represented a question answered for Green’s development.
All season, Green relied heavily on wide receiver Andrew Armstrong, who accounted for more than 30% of Green’s passing yards in the regular season. Sometimes, Green keyed too much on Armstrong.
Against Texas Tech, Green showed he can thrive regardless of his weapons. In addition to Armstrong, Arkansas was without the services of Luke Hasz and Isaiah Sategna. James finished with three catches for 137 yards, and freshman CJ Brown had four catches. The only familiar target, Isaac TeSlaa, had three catches for 107 yards.
“It just speaks to our depth, not just at the receiver position, but the running backs, tight ends, O-line,” Green said. “That’s the one thing you know I knew when I committed here — I knew y’all probably didn’t know yet — but just the weapons that we have offensively. I’m just grateful and excited that they have their opportunity.”
Just as he has all season, Green deflected the praise to his teammates and coaches. He walks the walk and talks the talk as a starting quarterback and program figurehead in the SEC.
Arkansas will have plenty of holes to fill this offseason. The Hogs need to find three new starters on the offensive line and three more at wide receiver. They’ve already started finding replacements through the transfer portal and have a good foundation returning on defense.
But Green is the central focus for any offseason hope. It will be nine months before Arkansas takes the field against Alabama A&M in the 2025 season opener. Taylen Green will be under center, and that’s as good a starting point the Razorbacks can ask for.
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