It took 38 months, but the SEC era is finally underway for Oklahoma. Unfortunately, the Sooners failed to do much offensively in their inaugural contest in large part due to injuries in the first quarter to the likes of Deion Burks, Nic Anderson and Taylor Tatum.
Injuries would be the theme of the night as DB Kendel Dolby was carted off the field at the 8:58 mark of the 2nd quarter with a gruesome lower leg injury. In a moment of team unity, the entire OU roster gathered around Kendel as he exited the field of play.
After each team battled for field position and started the respective scoring by exchanging field goals, the Vols hit their first big play of the night on a 66-yard touchdown reception from Dont’e Thorton Jr. The lead would grow to 19-3 at the half. It was a half largely dominated by Tennessee as the Sooners were held to 82 total yards, only 28 of those on the ground. The lethargic play resulted in the benching of QB Jackson Arnold in favor of Michael Hawkins who coming into the night had only 12 career offensive snaps. In the 2nd quarter, the Sooners finished with negative 19 yards of total offense. Hawkins (true freshman) would resume behind center to start the 2nd half.