Tennessee’s offense never got on track in the 19-14 loss at Arkansas Saturday night. The Vols finished with just 332 total yards, scored on only two possessions and punted seven times, with two other drives ending with a turnover on downs.
Nico Iamaleava completed just 17 of 29 passes for 158 yards, without a touchdown or an interception, and the Vols ran 36 times for 174 yards and two touchdowns as a team.
Of the 332 total yards, 135 came on the first two drives of the second half, both ending with Dylan Sampson touchdown runs.
Still, Florida coach Billy Napier knows what the Vols (4-1, 1-1 SEC) are capable of, especially as they return home to host the Gators (3-2, 1-1) on Saturday night (7 Eastern Time, ESPN) at Neyland Stadium.
“The challenge of playing on the road in this league,” Napier said, “that’s been the case for a lot of teams in our league, not just Tennessee. I think we would probably say the same.”
What Napier doesn’t want is to get caught trading points with Tennessee. He doesn’t want the Vols getting back to their old selves.