With 8:26 remaining in the fourth quarter, Tennessee football linebacker Edwin Spillman was penalized for targeting. The result is the ejection for the remainder of the game against Arkansas, and a suspension extending to the first half of the game against Alabama next week. He’ll be eligible to play after halftime.
Spillman hit Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green on a 10-yard rush. It put Arkansas at the nine-yard line, as well, with the penalty going half the distance to the goalline. Tennessee led 34-17 at the time of the penalty. Arkansas scored on the next play to cut the deficit to 10.
During the game against Arkansas, Spillman tallied five tackles, one of which was a solo effort. He also posted one quarterback hit.
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Heading into the game, Spillman had recorded 23 tackles in his redshirt freshman season. This included six solo tackles and one sack. He has been the third linebacker on the field behind Arion Carter and Jeremiah Telander. He has typically played the third-most snaps in the unit, and sometimes the second-most.
With him missing the first half against Alabama in Tuscaloosa, it’ll likely mean Ben Bolton, Jadon Perlotte and Jordan Burns could see an increased role. Against Arkansas, it’s been Perlotte who has seen the field in relief, though. He has produced one tackle and recovered a fumble in a short amount of time.
Kickoff against the Tide is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on the road. It will air on ABC and be UT’s first night game of the season.
Josh Heupel is 1-0 against Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer after downing the Tide at home last season in a defensive battle. Overall, including three games against Nick Saban, Heupel is 2-2 in the rivalry. He’s won both games at home and lost both on the road, despite a strong start in 2023.
