Why WR Radarious Jackson tackle was season-changing play for Tennessee football

Wide receiver Radarious Jackson didn’t catch a single pass in a 24-17 win over Arkansas for Tennessee football on Oct. 10. But he may have made the biggest play of the game, according to UT coach Josh Heupel.

When quarterback George MacIntyre fumbled in Arkansas territory with seconds to go until halftime, Jackson chased down Arkansas defensive lineman Qunicy Rhodes Jr. as he returned the ball 58 yards towards the end zone. Jackson’s tackle prevented the Razorbacks from scoring.

“Huge play. Huge play,” Heupel said postgame. “Changes the game. Could change your season.”

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The No. 14 Vols (5-1, 2-1 SEC) led Arkansas 7-0 with 12 seconds left in the second quarter. Facing a third-and-2 from the 19-yard line, Tennessee was in position to extend its lead to at least 10, if not more, going into halftime.

If Jackson hadn’t hustled to track down Rhodes, his scoop and score could have dramatically swung the outcome of a close game that UT had to win in the closing minutes. And an upset loss to an SEC bottom-feeder like Arkansas (2-4, 0-3), could have derailed what is still a promising season for the Vols.

Arkansas ended up attempting a 38-yard field goal, but placekicker Max Gilbert, who started for the Vols last season, missed and the Vols ended up not getting burned by MacIntyre’s miscue.

“Just continuing to compete,” Heupel said. “Get a guy down and it’s a three-point play or a seven-point play that ends up negating all of it and it’s a straight wash walking in at halftime.”

The coaching staff emphasizes those plays in the offseason, Heupel said. They prepare offensive players for moments wherein they can make game-changing plays outside of their normal responsibilities. And those extra details paid off against the Razorbacks.

“It’s actually something that we, through our experience, have shown to our players,” Heupel said. “That’s why our offensive guys are going to be involved in tackling during the season and some point during the offseason. Just a big-time play.”

Stephen Thompson covers Tennessee Volunteers men’s basketball. Email him at stephen.thompson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @stephenethom.