Tennessee Beats Arkansas 24-17 on DeSean Bishop Touchdown

Tennessee secured a 24-17 road victory over Arkansas on Oct. 10 in Fayetteville, Arkansas, ending a four-game losing streak at Razorback Stadium and earning its first win there since 2001. The No. 14 Volunteers improved to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the Southeastern Conference after DeSean Bishop delivered the decisive touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

According to coverage from Knox News and Sports Illustrated, Tennessee answered a 55-yard field goal by former Volunteers kicker Max Gilbert with a 94-yard scoring drive. Bishop broke free for a 59-yard run before finishing the possession with an 8-yard touchdown that gave Tennessee a 24-17 lead with 1:57 remaining.

The victory also elevated Bishop in Tennessee's historical rushing records. The former Karns High standout scored the 27th rushing touchdown of his career, tying College Football Hall of Fame member Beattie Feathers and Andy Kozar for sixth place on the program's career list, according to Knox News.

Bishop recorded three rushing touchdowns in 2024, 16 in 2025 and eight so far in 2026. Gene McEver holds Tennessee's career record with 37 rushing touchdowns from 1928-31, while Dylan Sampson and James Stewart share second place with 35 each. Joshua Dobbs ranks fourth with 32, and Stanley Morgan is fifth with 28.

Tennessee quarterback George MacIntyre experienced an uneven debut as a starter. The sophomore completed 18 of 29 passes for 247 yards and one touchdown while throwing two interceptions, according to Knox News.

MacIntyre opened the scoring with a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Trent Thomas in the second quarter, capping a 10-play, 71-yard drive. Tennessee carried a 7-0 advantage into halftime after its defense limited Arkansas to 99 total yards in the opening half.

However, Arkansas responded with two touchdown drives to take control in the third quarter. Running back Braylen Russell scored on a 9-yard run to tie the game, and quarterback KJ Jackson connected with tight end Jaden Platt on a 5-yard touchdown pass after an interception gave the Razorbacks another scoring opportunity.

MacIntyre later connected with tight end DaSaahn Brame for a 68-yard completion that set up Brame's 1-yard touchdown run. The score put Tennessee ahead 17-14 early in the fourth quarter, but Gilbert's 55-yard field goal tied the game at 17 with 7:20 remaining.

Gilbert, who transferred from Tennessee in January, had an earlier opportunity to score before halftime but missed a 38-yard field goal on the final play of the second quarter, according to Knox News.

A separate first-half play also helped preserve Tennessee's lead. After MacIntyre fumbled, Arkansas defensive end Quincy Rhodes recovered the ball and headed toward the end zone. MacIntyre slowed Rhodes by grabbing his foot, and wide receiver Radarious Jackson completed a touchdown-saving tackle with three seconds remaining before halftime.

Tennessee's defense subsequently helped the Volunteers regain possession for the decisive drive. Bishop's long run and late touchdown completed the comeback after Arkansas had taken a seven-point lead, allowing Tennessee to run down the clock and prevent the Razorbacks from mounting another scoring drive.

Arkansas fell to 2-4 overall and 0-3 in SEC play. Tennessee will return to Neyland Stadium on Oct. 17 to face No. 7 Alabama, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Eastern time, according to Knox News.