Oct. 29
By Jimmy Hyams
Tennessee typically finds a way to beat Kentucky.
That’s one reason the Vols had won 31 of the previous 32 matchups against the Wildcats.
But this hasn’t been a typical season in Big Orange Country.
Tennessee had a 4-0 advantage in turnovers, a 17-minute domination in time of possession, 160 more passing yards and 26 more plays than Kentucky.
Yet, UT found a way to lose in Lexington, 29-26.
The Vols failed to take full advantage of those four turnovers – turning them into just nine points – and the defense couldn’t hold up in the final five minutes as Kentucky drove 72 yards for the game-winning touchdown with 33 seconds left.
A last ditch Hail Mary to Jeff George went for 48 yards but fell 2 yards short of the goal line as time expired.
The turnovers set UT up at the UK 15, 41, 49 and the UT 44. The result: three field goals. In six red zone trips, the Vols managed four field goals and two touchdowns.
“That’s the story of the game – nine points off four turnovers,’’ Jones said.
So what’s the story of Jones?
A well-placed source told me UT has not called a press conference for today or this week regarding Jones’ status.
While many believe he will not survive this season, another source told me Jones will coach the Southern Miss game Saturday.
Does that mean Jones will survive the season? No.
But it does indicate he will survive the week.
Meanwhile, Tennessee fell to 3-5 overall, 0-5 in SEC play. The Vols have never gone winless in conference play and never had an eight-loss season. Both are in play.
“It’s been one of those years,’’ Jones said after the Vols’ fifth one-possession game of the season. “I’ve never been through this in 30 years of coaching, games coming down to the wire.’’
Asked the health of the program, Jones said: “Is there any quit? No. Is there any giveup? No.’’
Jones said his team has “hung together’’ and “battled.’’
Despite the defeat to Kentucky, Tennessee had several some bright spots. Backup running back Ty Chandler, starting in place of suspended running back John Kelly, ripped through Kentucky’s No. 3 ranked SEC run defense for 120 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. He also had an 80-yard run nullified by a holding penalty well behind the play.
Carlin Fils Aime chipped in with 73 yards on 13 runs as the Vols ran for 203 yards.
Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, in his third start, hit 18 of 23 for 242 yards – 48 on a last-second Hail Mary pass that came up about 2 yards short of the Kentucky end zone. But he was sacked seven times, once taking UT out of field-goal range.
The Vols managed 445 yards on 78 snaps. Kentucky had 371 yards on 52 plays.
“We came out firing on all cylinders,’’ said UT tight end Ethan Wolf, who had three catches for 33 yards. “But we shot ourselves in the foot way to many times.’’
Guarantano blamed himself for UT not scoring more touchdowns after recovering Kentucky fumbles, noting he missed a few throws.
“There were plays we made,’’ Guarantano said. “We’ve just got to do better.’’
Guarantano said Kentucky threw some stunts and alignments that UT didn’t pick up. That led to the seven sacks.
One thing UT didn’t do well was stop Kentucky running back Benny Snell Jr., who had 180 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries.
It also didn’t do well on defense on Kentucky’s final drive.
Jones is now 10-14 in one possession games at UT, 2-3 this year. He’s 7-9 in his last 16 games and 2-9 in his last 11 SEC games.
“I believe in our kids,’’ Jones said. “I believe in our program.
“Nobody takes more ownership of this program than Butch Jones.’’
The Vols have four games remaining: Southern Miss, LSU, Missouri, Vanderbilt
“We need to put these last four games in the win column and go to a bowl,’’ Wolf said.
For that to happen, the Vols have to quit shooting themselves in the foot.
Note: A scuffle on a Kentucky kickoff five minutes into the game led officials to call unsportsmanlike conduct on all players from each team – which seems like a blatantly unfair rule since it affected at least 70 players who were on the bench.
Just before half, a shoving match led to the ejection of UT linebacker Daniel Bituli and UK’s Davonte Robinson. In the final minutes, UT nickelback Rashaan Gaulden and UK’s Tavin Richardson were ejected for a skirmish.
“In 30-plus years I’ve never seen that,’’ Jones said. “That really hurt us with two of our best defensive players not on the field at the end of the game.’’
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