KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee redshirt sophomore quarterback Jarrett Guarantano added another accolade this week, capturing the Maxwell Award Player of the Week honors on Tuesday.
The Maxwell Football Club national selection committee selected the Vols’ signal-caller as its national offensive player of the week following his stand-out 328-yard, two-touchdown, no-turnover performance in Tennessee’s 30-24 upset victory at No. 21 Auburn on Saturday.
Guarantano was 11-of-14 on third down in the game, including 8-of-8 on third-and-8 or longer. His 25-yard touchdown pass to redshirt junior wide receiver Jauan Jennings with 3:25 remaining in the third quarter gave Tennessee the lead for good as the Vols picked up their first victory in Jordan-Hare Stadium in 20 years and their upset of a higher ranked opponent on the road in 12 years.
The Lodi, N.J., native finished with career-highs in passing yards (328), attempts (32) and completions (21), and tied his career-high with two touchdown passes.
Guarantano is the first Vol to win the Maxwell Award Player of the Week honor since current Pittsburgh Steelers backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs won the award on Sept. 29, 2016 after he led the Vols to a comeback victory over Florida in Neyland Stadium.
Guarantano was also named the SEC’s Co-Offensive Player of the Week on Monday in addition to being mentioned on the Davey O’Brien Award Great 8 and the Manning Award Star of the Week lists. On Sunday, he was named to PFF College’s National Team of the Week with a 93.3 grade – the service’s highest mark for an offensive player during Week 7 action.
Guarantano’s Week 7 Honors
Maxwell Award National Player of the Week
SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week
PFF College National Team of the Week
Davey O’Brien Award Great 8
Manning Award Star of the Week
PFF College SEC Team of the Week
CFPA Honorable Mention National Performer of the Week
Four Vols Named to PFF College SEC Team of the Week
Joining Guarantano on PFF College’s SEC Team of the Week were Jennings (80.7 grade), junior linebacker Daniel Bituli (76.8 grade) and freshman cornerback Bryce Thompson (83.1 grade).
Jennings finished with five receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown, and secured Auburn’s onside kick attempt to close out the win. Bituli totaled five tackles and a half-tackle for loss, while Thompson made five stops to go along with a pass breakup, a QB hurry and his second interception of the season.
Tickets Available
Tickets remain available for Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. game versus No. 1 Alabama at Neyland Stadium and can be purchased at AllVols.com or by calling 1-800-332-VOLS.
UT Athletics
