Trevor Knight faced a learning curve last season.

Named the starting quarterback for Oklahoma’s season opener, Knight struggled against West Virginia in Week 2, throwing a pair of third-quarter interceptions before being injured and allowing Blake Bell to take the reins at quarterback. Though he didn’t reclaim the starting job until late into the season, Knight ended 2013 on a high note.

Facing a heavily favored Alabama, Knight took home Sugar Bowl MVP honors after throwing for four touchdowns and 348 yards on 34-of-44 passing in a 45-31 upset. Entering the 2014 season, Knight faced huge expectations as the signal caller for a talented Sooners team. Thus far, his play has lived up to the hype.

Knight is 17-of-23 for 222 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in the first quarter this season. Last year, he was 6-of-17 for 31 yards in the first quarter during games against ULM and West Virginia.

“It’s a week-to-week, day-to-day thing,” Knight told TulsaWorld.com. “Calming down, seeing the reads, relaxing back there and getting the ball in playmakers’ hands…

“I’ve definitely had to work on that. I tend to get a little juiced up back there. In high school, I tried to make plays all the time. Now I’ve just got to relax, take my footwork, see it, deliver the ball.”

Tennessee has faced dual-quarterbacks in each of its opening two games and contained both players. However, Knight has both the individual ability and surrounding talent to put up big numbers against the young Volunteer defense this weekend. The Sooners boast a balanced offense that has totaled 1,016 yards in two games.

“They challenge you,” head coach Butch Jones said. “They challenge you schematically and they challenge you talent wise. They do a great job. It all starts with their quarterback, dual threat, can make all the throws, can run, different personal groupings.”

Tennessee will need its best showing on Saturday in hopes to contain the elusive Knight. If the Vols are going to compete against Oklahoma, the defense must have a strong performance against the star quarterback.