Runningback Braylen Russell runs down the sideline against Tennessee.
Runningback Braylen Russell runs down the sideline against Tennessee.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas football will look to build on its performance against Tennessee when it travels to Nashville on Saturday to face a Vanderbilt team searching for answers after three consecutive losses.
The Razorbacks enter the matchup 2-4 overall and 0-3 in Southeastern Conference play after falling 24-17 to then-No. 14 Tennessee on Oct. 10. Vanderbilt is 3-3 overall and also 0-3 in the SEC after losing 52-17 to Ole Miss last weekend.
Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. The game will be televised on ESPN2.
Arkansas had opportunities to earn its first SEC win against Tennessee, leading 14-7 in the third quarter before the Volunteers rallied. The Razorbacks finished with 288 total yards and converted only two of 11 third-down attempts, limiting their ability to sustain drives late in the game. Quarterback KJ Jackson completed 15 of 27 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown.
First-year Arkansas coach Ryan Silverfield said the offense struggled to stay in manageable situations as the game progressed.
“We found ourselves behind the sticks,” Silverfield said. “We weren’t quite as successful on first and second down.”
The challenge against Vanderbilt will be sustaining the offensive progress Arkansas showed early against Tennessee while avoiding the stalled drives that allowed the Volunteers to take control.
Arkansas has averaged 327 yards of total offense per game this season, according to CBS Sports’ game preview, and will need more consistent production from its running game and passing attack.
Wide receiver Chris Marshall has been Arkansas’ most productive receiving option. He has recorded 42 receptions for 573 yards and two touchdowns, giving Jackson a reliable target as the Razorbacks try to create more opportunities through the air.
The rest of the receiving group will need to contribute more consistently to prevent Vanderbilt from concentrating its coverage on Marshall.
Arkansas also needs to establish a more effective rushing attack. No Razorbacks running back has reached 175 rushing yards through the team’s first six games, according to the CBS Sports preview. A stronger ground game could help Arkansas stay out of long-yardage situations and take pressure off Jackson.
Vanderbilt presents its own challenges despite entering the game on a three-game losing streak. The Commodores opened the season 3-0 but have struggled since beginning SEC play, losing to Auburn, Georgia and Ole Miss. Their most recent defeat was a 52-17 loss to Ole Miss on Oct. 10.
The Commodores have several established offensive contributors, including wide receiver Junior Sherrill and running back Sedrick Alexander. Sherrill has totaled 529 receiving yards this season, ranking among the leading receivers in the SEC, while Alexander brings experience as both a runner and receiver.
Alexander has recorded 25 career rushing touchdowns and has scored a rushing or receiving touchdown in six of Vanderbilt’s last seven regular-season games, according to Vanderbilt Athletics.
Sherrill’s production makes him a central focus for Arkansas’ defense. The Razorbacks must limit his opportunities to create explosive plays while keeping Alexander from adding another dimension to the Commodores’ offense.
Vanderbilt’s ability to sustain drives could put pressure on an Arkansas offense that has struggled to maintain possession and convert third downs.
Vanderbilt also enters the game dealing with personnel losses. Offensive lineman Gunner Givens was ruled out for the season with a hip injury, while Mitchell Smith is expected to miss Saturday’s game as he deals with a knee issue.
Backup quarterback Blaze Berlowitz also underwent surgery for a broken collarbone suffered against Ole Miss. The Commodores’ initial injury report listed additional defensive players as questionable or probable.
The teams have not met since 2018, when Vanderbilt defeated Arkansas 45-31 in Fayetteville. Arkansas leads the all-time series 7-3 and has won all four previous meetings in Nashville, including a 31-28 victory in 2011.
Saturday’s game gives both programs an opportunity to get their first conference win and halt their current losing streaks. For Arkansas, the focus will be on translating the competitive stretches against Tennessee into four-quarter execution, particularly on offense.
The Razorbacks showed they could challenge a ranked opponent, but they must improve their consistency to leave Nashville with a win.
With both teams still searching for their first SEC victory, the matchup could be pivotal in determining whether either program can build momentum during the second half of the season.
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