Amid pointed criticism, Taylen Green found his groove against Tennessee

It goes without saying that heading into Arkansas’ matchup with then-No. 4 Tennessee, Razorback fans weren’t very high on Taylen Green. 

Two poor performances to begin SEC play against the likes of Auburn and Texas A&M meant Green was given little grace headed into Arkansas’ home conference opener against the mighty Vols, who boasted one of the best defenses in the country. 

However, Green may have put together his best performance of the season when the Hogs needed it most, and while an injury took him off the field before the winning drive, Arkansas doesn’t win that game without his efforts. 

Green completed 19 of his 27 passes - a mark of 70 percent - and threw for 266 yards in the victory, and finally looked like the quarterback he was promised to be when Bobby Petrino led him onto campus. 

Only a drop in the end zone by Isaiah Sategna kept a touchdown off Green’s statline, but the Boise State transfer did exactly what he needed to do for Arkansas to have a chance.

Green protected the ball, made smart decisions and made several excellent downfield throws. It was a performance that could see Green permanently turn around a 2024 campaign that seemed to be going in the wrong direction. 

Costly interceptions have plagued Green since the second game of the season against Oklahoma State, but Saturday proved what Arkansas is capable of when he puts together a turnover-free game. It was almost as if Green matured in real time, as he didn’t force any throws or make painfully bad decisions in key moments. 

One can only wonder if Green could’ve led Arkansas down the field for the winning score as backup quarterback Malachi Singleton did, but in the end, it doesn’t matter. Green played well, put the Razorbacks in a position to win, and his team capitalized on the opportunity. 

With the chance to heal up before a crucial rivalry game against LSU, Green should be 100 percent when he takes the field against the Tigers. 

The Battle for the Golden Boot will provide Green with another chance to show Arkansas fans that he’s the right man to lead them into battle for the rest of the season. Assuming Petrino and Green both stick around, the duo could be even more dangerous in 2025, as Petrino's offenses have a history of gaining steam with every season that passes.

Green has a long way to go before he is an elite SEC quarterback, but he silenced some of his doubters against the Volunteers.

Regardless of what happens for the rest of Green’s football career, he can always point to the October night in 2024 when he led Arkansas to a historic upset over a Tennessee team nobody gave them a shot to beat.