The first half of the Tennessee Volunteers vs. Oklahoma Sooners game has come to an end as the Vols lead 19-3.

The game started with both teams stalling early on offense. The Vols had a huge moment in the first quarter when the SEC’s highest rated defensive back, Jermod McCoy, got an interception off Jackson Arnold. McCoy was in zone coverage and quickly moved upfield to bait Arnold into the interception. This was a great play by McCoy. The Vols would go on to score the first three points of the game.

The Sooners also scored three points, which was countered by a deep Tennessee touchdown pass from Nico Iamaleava to Dont’e Thornton for 66 yards. Iamaleava finished the first quarter 5/6 with 120 yards and a touchdown.

Iamaleava and the Vols would not be as fortunate on their first offensive drive of the second quarter. Iamaleava would be hit while attempting to throw and would be sacked on a missed assignment by Dayne Davis. Davis was replacing an injured Lance Heard. The next play, Oklahoma would lose the ball on a fumble by Arnold on a rush. The fumble was forced by Joshua Josephs inside the 10-yard line.

Oklahoma’s defense gave the Vols offense some trouble early on, as Jackson Ross gave up three punts, including one of his punts that went 57 yards and brought the Sooners down at the 4-yard line. Jayson Jenkins would then tackle Javontae Barnes in the end zone for the second safety in two weeks.

Iamaleava would fumble again off a strip sack. This was his second of the half, giving Oklahoma positive field position. Tennessee would get another fumble recovery on the next play when Arnold threw a backwards pass to the outside receiver, leading to a Jakobe Thomas recovery. This would lead to a Dylan Sampson touchdown late in the half, giving the Vols a bigger lead.

The Vols had a couple of injuries in the half. Boo Carter would leave the game and not return in the half, as he walked to the locker room with a towel over his head. John Campbell would also leave the game with a lower body injury and is not expected to return this game.

The Vols receive the ball at the kickoff of the second half of the game.

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