Celebrity mascot Sinan the Squirrel ready for UF Wk7 SEC Showdown in KnoxvilleVols stomp Arkansas
Article By: Week 6 of the NDL Season: Tennessee (5-0) @ Arkansas (3-2)
The Tennessee Volunteers' student fan bus rolled into Fayetteville late Friday night after a grueling 10-hour journey from Knoxville, and these fans were eager to party. After arriving in town, the Tennessee faithful took over downtown Fayetteville, turning the area into a sea of orange. In true Vols fashion, the party was loud, lively, and led by none other than their new celebrity mascot—Squirrel.
Squirrel, the pet squirrel who has become a beloved icon of the Volunteers, was smuggled onto the bus by a group of Knoxville students determined to keep the fun rolling all weekend. Once in Fayetteville, Squirrel became the life of the party, posing for pictures with fans, dancing on tables, and even sipping from tiny cups as alumni, fans, and players celebrated their undefeated season with the same energy they've brought to every game this year.
Game Day: Vols vs. Razorbacks
The good vibes carried over into Saturday as the Vols kicked off against Arkansas at noon under a beautiful sunny sky. Tennessee fans, alumni, and their now overnight celebrity mascot, Squirrel, filled the stadium, bringing their infectious energy to Fayetteville.
The game started off slow, with Tennessee’s kicker Josh Turbyville putting the first points on the board with a 42-yard field goal. Shortly after, Vols running back Dylan Sampson found the end zone, pushing Tennessee to a 10-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter ignited when fan favorite Squirrel White caught an end-around quick pass and turned on the jets, sprinting 65 yards for a touchdown. As he reached the end zone, White made a beeline for the away student section, where one of the most iconic touchdown celebrations of the season was captured—Squirrel White taking a picture with the fans who had brought along the real Squirrel. This moment quickly became legendary, symbolizing the deep connection between the team and its passionate supporters.
Tennessee’s offense was unstoppable in the second quarter, adding 16 unanswered points to create a comfortable lead. The Vols cruised through the second half, ultimately securing a 40-14 victory.
Takeaways from the Game
One key takeaway from this game is that freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava, despite his exceptional talent, is still human. He threw his second interception of the season in the second half, a rare mistake for the young star. However, in true leadership fashion, Iamaleava immediately took ownership, heading over to Coach Garvin to discuss the play. After the interception, Iamaleava was flawless, finishing the game 12-18, with 244 yards, three touchdowns. Vols fans are still firmly behind him as a strong Heisman contender, and his resilience only bolsters their confidence.
Looking Ahead: Week 7 Showdown
The Vols are set for another true test in Week 7 as the undefeated Florida Gators come to Knoxville. With the stakes higher than ever, Vols fans are ready to go nuts—literally. Coach Garvin, fired up and determined to maintain the team’s perfect record, called on fans to bring all the energy they can muster, along with all the nuts they can find, to support the team and their beloved mascot and growing fan favorite Wide Receiver.
“VOLS FANS, LET'S GET NUTS FOR WEEK 7!” Coach Garvin declared at the end of his post-game conference, setting the tone for what promises to be an epic SEC showdown in Knoxville.
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