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Arkansas Beat Vanderbilt 31-21 to End a 14 Game SEC Losing Streak

Cam Settles ran for two touchdowns, Arkansas forced two interceptions from Jared Curtis, and the Razorbacks won 31-21 at Vanderbilt for their first SEC win since 2024.

By Orbit Post3 min read
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Arkansas Beat Vanderbilt 31-21 to End a 14 Game SEC Losing Streak

Key points

  • Arkansas beat Vanderbilt 31-21 at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, and the win ended a long wait.
  • Vanderbilt scored first.
  • Curtis came back well.

Arkansas beat Vanderbilt 31-21 at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, and the win ended a long wait. The Razorbacks had lost 14 straight games in the SEC and 12 straight against Power 4 opponents. Their last league win came in 2024, at home against Tennessee. This one was the first SEC win of head coach Ryan Silverfield's time at Arkansas.

Two interceptions change the night

Vanderbilt scored first. After the teams traded punts early, freshman quarterback Jared Curtis hit Ja'Cory Thomas for 39 yards, and Sedrick Alexander ran 4 yards for a touchdown late in the first quarter. Arkansas answered with its defense. Joker Johnson jumped a slant route, intercepted Curtis deep in Vanderbilt territory and returned the ball 25 yards for a touchdown that tied the game 7-7.

Curtis came back well. He led an eight play, 71 yard drive and finished it with a 24 yard touchdown pass to Junior Sherrill with 1:54 left in the first half, and Vanderbilt led 14-7. Arkansas replied before the break. The Razorbacks went 75 yards in nine plays, Antonio Jordan made key catches on the drive, and Cam Settles scored on an 11 yard run with 38 seconds left in the half. The teams went in tied 14-14.

Arkansas take control after half time

Arkansas opened the second half with its first lead of the night. Quarterback KJ Jackson ran 8 yards for a touchdown, after a 37 yard catch by Monte Harrison had moved the Razorbacks into Vanderbilt territory. Max Gilbert then missed a 51 yard field goal try wide right, and Vanderbilt used the chance. A 45 yard catch by Maurice Veney set up a 3 yard touchdown run by Makhilyn Young with 5:42 left in the third quarter, and the score was tied again at 21-21.

Settles put Arkansas back in front late in the third quarter. Jackson found Jordan for 32 yards down the left sideline, Jordan kept his feet in bounds, and Settles scored on a 3 yard run on the next play. Arkansas led 28-21 going into the fourth quarter.

Mitchell seals it late

Vanderbilt had one more chance. The Commodores drove into Arkansas territory late in the fourth quarter, down by seven points with just under four minutes left. Curtis tried to escape a sack and shoveled a pass, and Miguel Mitchell intercepted it with 3:48 to play. Arkansas then picked up a first down on a 31 yard third down pass, and Gilbert kicked a 39 yard field goal with 24 seconds left to make the margin 10 points.

Arkansas did not commit a turnover, ran for 4.6 yards per carry and forced two turnovers, both of them Curtis interceptions. Jordan led the Razorbacks with five catches for 74 yards after wide receiver Chris Marshall missed the whole second half. Sophomore Kash Courtney started at center for the first time this season.

What it means

Arkansas improved to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the SEC, and the Razorbacks go into their open week with a league win at last. Vanderbilt fell to 3-4 and 0-4 in the SEC, and the Commodores are now the only team without a win in league play. Vanderbilt plays at Kentucky on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Timeline

  1. Oct 17, 2026Sedrick Alexander scores on a 4 yard run and Vanderbilt leads Arkansas 7-0 in the first quarter at FirstBank Stadium.
  2. Oct 17, 2026Joker Johnson returns an interception 25 yards for a touchdown, Jared Curtis throws a 24 yard touchdown pass to Junior Sherrill, and Cam Settles ties the game 14-14 before half time.
  3. Oct 17, 2026KJ Jackson and Cam Settles score rushing touchdowns in the third quarter and Arkansas leads Vanderbilt 28-21.
  4. Oct 17, 2026Miguel Mitchell intercepts Jared Curtis late in the fourth quarter and Max Gilbert kicks a field goal with 24 seconds left as Arkansas wins 31-21.

Sources