Tennessee Football came in at No. 5 in the Associated Press Top 25 and No. 6 in the updated Coaches Poll on Sunday afternoon, moving up one spot in both rankings following the 25-15 win over Oklahoma Saturday night at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman.
The Vols (4-0) now enter their first bye week of the season before going to Arkansas on October 5. After the Fayetteville trip — it will be the third game away from home over the first five games of the season — Tennessee returns home to play four straight home gams over five weeks, with another bye week on October 19.
Florida comes to Neyland Stadium on October 12, ahead of Alabama (October 19), Kentucky (November 2) and Mississippi State (November 9).
Nico Iamaleava on Saturday night against Oklahoma completed 13 of 21 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown and Tennessee ran 52 times as a team for 151 yards and a score, led by 92 yards and a touchdown from Dylan Sampson on his 24 carries.
The Vols built a 19-3 lead in the second quarter before being content in the second half to run the football and run the clock.
Iamaleava threw a 66-yard touchdown to Dont’e Thornton on the final play of the first quarter and also had pass plays of 38 and 42 yards to Bru McCoy.
Tennessee’s defense forced seven Oklahoma punts as the Sooners went 3-for-16 on third down. The Vols also recorded a safety for a second straight game, forced three turnovers and finished the night with three sacks and 11 tackles for loss.
Jayson Jenkins recorded a tackle for loss in the end zone in the first half for the safety. Jermod McCoy had an interception and Joshua Josephs and Jakobe Thomas recovered fumbles, leading to the benching of Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold.
Tyre West and Jaxson Moi had one sack each while James Pearce and Jenkins were credited wit ha half sack each.
Tennessee started the season ranked No. 15 in both the Coaches Poll and the AP Top 25.
The Vols have made steady climbs in both rankings after lopsided wins over Chattanooga (69-3), North Carolina State (51-10) and Kent State (71-0).
The AP Poll moved Tennessee up to No. 14 in Week 2, No. 7 in Week 3 and No. 6 last week. The Coaches Poll had the Vols at No. 12 in Week 2, No. 9 in Week 3 and No. 7 last week.