Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter was one of many defensive players that helped the Vols topple Oklahoma. He didn’t seem surprised at all by how the game played out.
“I feel like with our preparation and the way we practice day in and day out and compete, I feel like this is just a result of that,” the sophomore said after No. 6 Tennessee beat No. 15 Oklahoma 25-15 on Saturday night in Norman, Okla. “But there are a lot of things that we need to clean up and continue to do to get better, but we’re heading in the right direction.”
Heading in the right direction? It seems the Vols are already there. Tennessee allowed just 222 yards to the Sooners and much of that territory was gained after the game was already in hand.
“It’s a great win,” Carter said. “Especially coming into a hostile environment like this, playing a great football team like that. We really want to put this one out for coach.”
Of course, Carter was referring to Tennessee coach Josh Heupel, who won a national championship as a quarterback for Oklahoma, coached for the Sooners for about a decade before being fired by his home school in 2014. In an odd twist, Tennessee’s defense was particularly adept at bailing out its offense, which wasn’t as high-octane as before. The Vols forced Oklahoma into two turnovers on ensuing drives after Tennessee’s offense had just turned the ball over to the Sooners.
“You just want to play relentless football at the end of the day,” Carter said. “We want to complement the offense. And we got their back just like they have ours. So when times get rough, we just go out there and play our hardest and get the ball back to them.”
The Vols allowed just 1.1 yards per rush against the Sooners, racked up three sacks, had 11 tackles for a loss, a safety, intercepted a pass and forced two fumbles that they, subsequently, recovered.
“I just feel like you’ve got to practice how you play,” Carter said. “Just got to be able to go out there and, play relentless and with crazy effort.”
Tennessee certainly did that. The Vols were so good that they forced starting Sooner quarterback Jackson Arnold to the bench. He was replaced by freshman Michael Hawkins, Jr.
Although there had been no suggestion of a potential quarterback controversy in Norman, Carter said the Vols were ready for both Sooner signal callers. Did Heupel know something we didn’t heading into the game?
“Studying both because it’s a possibility that the second one could also come in,” Carter said. “You’ve got to know your personnel and know what he thrives in, what he’s not so good at and what to really expect. So just going in and being able to have the preparation for both quarterbacks and just being able to play in any situation.”
Carter, who led the Vols with six tackles, credited Tennessee’s defensive linemen for dominating Oklahoma up front throughout the game. That allowed the Vols’ linebackers to run free and make plays. UT middle linebacker Keenan Pili registered five tackles, including one for a loss.
“Oh man, I commend them,” Carter said. “They are so great. They give us great lanes to go and fill. They keep double teams off of us to get through open holes. I really feel like they are like the heart and soul. As far as like success up to this point, we couldn’t do anything because it starts up front with them. So I commend them. They’re just, like, great.”
The Vols are now 4-0 on the season and have an extra week to prepare for their next opponent. Following a bye week, Tennessee will travel to Arkansas on Oct. 5 to take on the Razorbacks.
“We’re just playing the schedule,” said Carter, who had one tackle for a loss and a pass breakup. “It’s a great opportunity to get guys back healthy and just get guys back to 100-percent or near 100-percent, because we’ve got another great opponent the week after that.”
Carter is right. Tennessee is just playing the schedule. However, he’s understating the Vols’ defensive performance just a bit. Tennessee may just be playing the schedule, but they’re also dominating opposing offenses.
