Jeremy Pruitt Press Conference Full Transcript (Nov. 25)

Jeremy Pruitt Press Conference Full Transcript (Nov. 25)

Opening statement:
“Going back and looking at the game, there were a lot of really good things during the game. I think offensively as the game went, we did a good job of when we did choose to run the football, being able to get some three to six-yard runs there. We had two explosive runs, one got called back on a penalty. I thought our offensive line did a good job in protection. Jarrett did a really nice job keeping us in the right plays and made some good throws. I can’t say enough about our tight ends and wide receivers and how they fought for the ball, going across the middle and making a lot of contested catches.

“Defensively, I really thought our front did a nice job keeping the quarterback in the pocket there and not letting him get out and scramble around. We gave up three explosive plays in the throw game there that we’d like to have back. We didn’t create any turnovers, so (the defense) didn’t help us there. I was really disappointed in the kicking game. I felt like one time there in the kicking game we didn’t have great protection and the ball was a little low. The second time, the ball was definitely low, which is unusual for Brent (Cimaglia), but we have to get that fixed. I didn’t think we punted the football as well as we have in previous games, so we have to go back and figure out a way to fix it. We’ve always been able to kind of create an edge in special teams and for the first time we didn’t do that. But our guys continue to fight. There were lots of times in the game when the momentum shifted but our kids didn’t waver. We found a way to finish it off and got a good win on the road. That was good to see.

“Looking at this next opponent, it’s the last game for the seniors. We’ll be honoring 13 seniors on our football team and also Darrin Kirkland Jr., who didn’t get a chance to run through the T last year. So, he’ll be back, and he’ll do that with the rest of the seniors. It’s a great opportunity for our guys to continue to improve as a football team. We have to have a good week of practice and have to continue to work on the fundamentals and correct some of the mistakes that we made in the game. We’re still searching for playing a correct game, a perfect game. Our guys are working hard to do that. When you look at Vanderbilt, one thing that sticks out to me about them is that they play really hard. They’re a physical team, they take care of the football. Offensively, starting at tailback they have one of the best runners in the league. They have a really good tight end, good wide receivers, guys that have been very productive in this league for a long time. Defensively, they always give you multiple looks. They play extremely hard, they put pressure on the quarterback. They’ve been opportunistic. On special teams, they have good specialists. So, it’ll be a challenge for us, and we need to find a way to be our best on Saturday.”

Credit: UT Athletics

On what allowed him to maintain confidence in Jarrett Guarantano:
“I never lost confidence in him. When you play sports, sometimes you play at a really high level, and sometimes you don’t. For everybody, you’re always trying to figure out how do you be at your best? The talent has always been there, the want to, the toughness, the instincts as a player, the ability to throw the football. But, for whatever reason, early in the year, he wasn’t at his best, and he knows that. There were no signs during fall camp, there were no signs during the spring, and you know what, you’ve got to give Jarrett a ton of credit. Like anybody that plays quarterback, they probably get too much credit when you have success, and too much blame when you don’t. He could have done one of two things when we went in another direction, he could have given up on the season and said, ‘you know what, I’m graduated, I’m going to transfer’, but he didn’t do that, that’s not who he is. He’s a competitor, so he went back to work, he tried to fix what he wasn’t doing as well, and he’ll continue to do that this week. He didn’t play perfect Saturday – he played really, really well, but there were some plays that I’m sure when he watches the film, he’ll say, ‘man, I wish I had that one back.’ That’s with everybody on our football team. I can’t say enough about what kind of grit, determination and character that he has to hang in here and he’s helped us kind of turn this season around.”

On Jarrett receiving death threats and if he was aware of that:
“That was the first I’ve heard about it. Obviously, that’s something that anybody should take very seriously, so, we’re doing whatever we need to do as a university to look into that and protect everybody that’s involved in our program.”

On how he would want players to handle situations like that:
“Obviously, communication. In anything, if something is going on, it starts with communication and letting the proper authorities know about how to handle something.”

On what has been the keys for his team in learning how to win:
“You talk about the Mississippi State game, Kentucky, Missouri this past week. That’s three games where it was probably decided on the last drive, with both groups, offense and defense. All three games there was probably points in the game where we could have played better, but when it mattered the most we played at our best. When you can take the football and run the game out, it says a lot about our offense. Getting stops on defense, I think it shows a lot about the will of this team, the character, the fight and resiliency to find a way. Sometimes when you’re not at your best, if you’re going to win football games you have to will yourself to it, and I think our guys have done that.”

On the one play Brian Maurer came in for:
“Jarrett (Guarantano) was wearing a protective pad on his hand, and it came off. So, he ran off the field and Brian ran on. I didn’t even know what happened until I saw Brian running with the ball.”

On the play of the offensive line:
For the most part, I feel like we blocked the right people. These guys can give you a lot of different looks. Early in the game we were on the right people, but we were kind of getting whipped. As the game went on I felt our guys did a better job maintaining blocks, and we’ve got to do a little bit better job at running back of breaking tackles and falling forward.”

On the importance of potentially getting extra practice time in preparation for post season play: “Obviously, I think football is a developmental game, the more you practice the better you get at it. We’re really just focused on Vanderbilt. We’ll worry about that when it gets here. So, we have got to get out there and have five good days of practice this week and continue to improve as a team, which is something I think we have done for the majority of the year and this is another great opportunity.”

On a status update on Aubrey Solomon and how he thought the group played without him:
“Our guys have continued to improve up front. We’ve played a lot of guys there this year, and we’ll continue to do that. I felt like our guys played together. There were a few things there, whether it was playing six to seven inc, or handling read zone ark, quarterback got out one time for about a 7 or 8-yard gain. Some fundamentals there, but for the most part with a guy that can run around and create issues like their quarterback could, I felt like our guys kept him in the pocket, kind of pushed the pocket and made him throw from the pocket and it helped us have success. (On Aubrey) He’ll be day to day.”

On what he likes about the seniors and quality of guys on the team:
“Our team likes each other which is important. I feel like the guys on our team are very unselfish. They put the team first. It’s easy to be positive and be motivated when things are going really well, and you find out your true character when things aren’t going well. It’s something we had to do this year and it starts with our assistant coaches and our senior leadership and kind of trickled on down. Right now, the mood in the locker room Is really, really good and it’s been like that all year. When you start out 1-4 like we did, the big thing is why? And it really came down to turnovers and execution, and that was something that we could control, and our kids have worked hard to fix it.”

On what Riley Lovingood means to the football program:
“He’s a guy that’s already graduated, working on his second degree. He’s a guy that I saw out here last winter during Christmas break when I came up here to work and he’s out here snapping into the net every single day. It tells you a little bit about his motivation and how important it is. A guy that does a great job in special teams and to lots of folks is under appreciated until you have a bad snap, so he’s been a fantastic leader in this program and done everything that we’ve asked of him.”

On if the message to the team is that they still have work to do, even though they are bowl eligible now:
“We have goals to be at our best every Saturday, and don’t get me wrong, our players are doing a lot of really good things, but we made some mistakes in that game that kept them (Missouri) in it. We had twice as many yards as them, but the game comes down to the last possession. We have to eliminate those mistakes. Whether they are careless penalties, a mental error on offense or defense, it is a fumble when you are putting the game away, a blocked field goal or not fielding a kickoff. Those things we gave the other team too many chances. We have to eliminate those mistakes.”

On what the senior class means to him:
“It is something that I am really proud of for these guys. I am really proud of these guys and excited for them. It has been great to get to know them. I knew Nigel Warrior from the recruiting process. I didn’t know Daniel Bituli. I didn’t know Darrell Taylor. I had met Dominick Wood-Anderson a little bit from recruiting. Jauan Jennings and Marquez Callaway, I knew Marquez a little bit from the recruiting. But just being around them the last two years to really get to know who they are and how much pride that they have for the University of Tennessee and see them fight and finish something that they started just says a lot about them. These guys are going to have tons of success beyond the university. It is really just what college football is all about, how these guys represent the university.”

On what he is thankful for:
“Number one, I am thankful for my family. My wife, my kids, my mom, my dad, my brothers and sisters. I think we all are. I am thankful for having an opportunity to work for the University of Tennessee. I am thankful for these players that we have a chance to be around every day and what a blessing they are to us. I am thankful for the men that I work with. There are lots of things to be thankful for. This is probably my favorite holiday just because of that. I think we get caught up sometimes in the wins and losses. I realize that is what we get paid to do, but the opportunity to work with the men in this profession, to be around the student-athletes and everybody that touches the student-athletes and watch them grow over a period of time, it is why I wanted to get into coaching football, so I could be a part of something like this. So, I am thankful to have an opportunity to do it at a wonderful university that football is so important to.”

 

UT Athletics

Lady Vol Hoops Report (11/25/19)

Lady Vol Hoops Report (11/25/19)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee women’s basketball head coach Kellie Harper met with the media on Monday in advance of her team’s match-up with Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

The No. 20 Lady Vols (5-0) play their third of six straight home games on Tuesday night, as they welcome the Golden Lions (0-3) for a 7 p.m. contest at Thompson-Boling Arena. The game will be streamed on SECN+ and available on Lady Vol Radio Network stations.

This will mark the first meeting between UT and UAPB. The Lady Vols are coming off a 73-46 victory over Stetson last Tuesday night. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, meanwhile, fell 65-50 at Illinois last Thursday evening.

Head Coach Kellie Harper

On if she thinks Jordan Horston will continue to get better and better:
“I think she is a player that is going to continue to improve once she gets more experience under her belt. I think right now anybody can watch a game and see how talented she is. As she plays a little bit more at this level, she will get a little more game experience at this level, which will make a big difference.”

Credit: UT Athletics

On what Jordan Horston is improving on:
“She is really good at everything, to be quite honest with you. She is a good defensive player. She is really good at offense. She can rebound. I think just polishing and fine tuning all of that along with playing a little bit savvier or wiser will be a veteran move.”

On her decision to bench Jordan Horston during a game in Europe for her citation:
“For us, when the incident occurred, she came to me and told me about it. We wanted to act immediately. We didn’t want to postpone any punishment, so we acted immediately. And having the European trip coming up, it seemed like the most logical option for us. I think she has learned from it.”

On how important it is to have Rae Burrell on the team:
“I think Rae is a big piece of what we are doing. You can have a big role and come off the bench. I think we have to have somebody come off the bench and give us a great spark. I think her style of play is that for us right now. I think it has been really positive. We know when she goes in, something is going to happen. She brings a lot of energy. She can make plays. As she continues to get more games under her belt and plays with more experience, I think you will see her game even improve. We are excited about her and her growth and development this year.”

On if she’s asked Rae Burrell to slow down a little bit:
“I think sometimes you have to give and take with her. You have some positives. We have had a few decision making errors on her part. We are just trying to clean those up. I think right now we understand that is part of her game. We don’t want to restrict her. We want to let her play and continue to work with her on her decision making at times.”

On if she thinks they are a better three-point shooting team than the stats show:
“I think that the stats are probably where we are. We can make threes. We can knock down some open shots. I think it is important that we take good threes. For the most part, we do. We don’t really force a lot of those shots. We are continuing to get shots up and in addition to outside of practice. Hopefully that will pay off later this year.”

On where she thinks this team needs to be going into tomorrow’s game and if she has seen improvement:
“I think we saw improvement from our Tennessee State game to our Stetson game. I would like to see another step. Maybe with our defensive execution, also with our offensive execution. We are going to open it up a little bit and do a few more things that will challenge our players with their communication with each other and on the bench and how we are attacking.”

On how valuable it is to have a week off to practice:
“It is huge. We don’t get enough practices. It is good for us to get some practices in and working on us instead of working on an opponent. For a while there, I felt like we just did a scouting report. This was really good for us. We were able to put in a few new things both offensively and defensively, to give our players a variety and also give us some things to work on for down the road.”

On any update on Jaiden McCoy and if the rest of the team is healthy:
“I think we look pretty good health-wise. Jaiden is actually back in practice. She still has a splint on, but she is back in practice, and honestly, looks really good.”

On how she feels about Tamari Key’s game:
“Tamari’s size obviously stands out. She plays above most people. The other thing about her is that she is very skilled. She can shoot. She understands the game. She is also very coachable. I love that about her. She comes out, and I can tell her something, and she is shaking her head and trying to correct it. I think, given where she is at right now and how coachable she is, she has an unbelievably bright future.”

On if she feels good her defense right now:
“No. But no coach does. It’s November. We are still working on our defense. I have been proud of some improvements that we have had. I think there are some certain areas we can get better at – some individually, some as a team. Also as we add parts to our defense, different schemes, I think that will give us some variety. I think it will be a constant work in progress as we put new things in and try to get those things solid.”

On if she has most of her defensive plays in:
“There are a few pieces that I am putting in as we go. I have always been a believer in adding in throughout the season. I think it gives your players some variety and newness in the middle of the season. It gives you some action that your opponents may have not seen.”

On her substitutions and rotations throughout the roster so far this season:
“Early on, we had some statistics come up with lineups where we had some concerns… maybe like the pace of play with a certain lineup, and those things have gotten better. We have improved on those. So right now, when I look at the guards, we don’t have enough guards to really learn about lineups. We are just trying to get people in and out to keep people fresh and rested. Our post players, obviously we have a little more depth there and we can rotate them a little differently. We’re probably going to use Lou Brown a little more on the wing, at the three position, just to help with some of those rotations.”

On her team’s tempo of play:
“I think overall, I like our tempo. There are times when it’s really good and times when we’re not as good, but I think it’s still a learning process for our team.”

On how she feels about her teams rebounding so far:
“You would be surprised how often we are disappointed with our rebounding, and maybe that’s high expectations, but I think right now we are getting a lot of rebounds because we are bigger. I think we need to make sure we are getting rebounds because we outpace them, and we’re boxing out, and being disciplined on the offensive boards. I think there’s a little more we can do in that area in terms of our consistency and our discipline. It’s something that we talk to our players about all the time, and that’s what’s going to pay off in SEC play.”

On how tough it is to test that rebounding ability against some of these non-conference teams:
“I think right now we have been very honest with our team about the size of the people we are playing and (telling them) not to get comfortable with our rebounding numbers based on us being a foot taller than them. I think we are seeing a little bit more accurate numbers in practice when we are playing against practice squads that are as big and as athletic as we are. I think because we talk about it openly with our team that they can understand it a little bit more, and I hope that they get it before SEC play.”

On the size of the team:
“I love the fact that we’re bigger than everybody else. I want to be bigger. I want to be faster. I want to be stronger. I want to be more athletic and more disciplined and execute better.”

On Tennessee’s turnover problems at times:
“Most of the turnovers that bother me are when we are relaxed offensively. We get a little too comfortable, we aren’t as sharp and then we try to make a difficult pass rather than an easy play that should be the option. We’re going to have a few turnovers — I get that, we’re still learning. But if we can eliminate the lack of focus turnovers and then just try to make an easy play, I think our numbers there will go down drastically.”

On what she is thankful for this Thanksgiving:
“What is there not to be thankful for? I just love where I’m at. I love my life, love my family. I love working with these young ladies every single day. I am blessed. I am absolutely blessed, and I’m very grateful and thankful for my life.”

On focusing on the process rather than results:
“We can’t get excited after a win if we didn’t execute; we can’t get excited after a win if we didn’t play the way we needed to play. Obviously, I always congratulate our team after a win, but it is more important now that we’re getting better. That is the most important thing. We can’t waste a day in practice; we can’t waste a day in film. You have to really lock in and focus every single day, and that’s hard to do.”

On what stands out about Arkansas Pine-Bluff:
“They’re athletic, and I think defensively they create a lot chaos. I think your offensive execution has to have a lot of poise. You have to have nice spacing, and you don’t really need to be forcing things. We could see a full-court press, some aggressive man and some zone — they’re going to throw a lot at us. I think our poise and our discipline and execution will be big.”

 

UT Athletics

Listen to Miranda Lambert’s Hopeful New Single, “Bluebird”

Listen to Miranda Lambert’s Hopeful New Single, “Bluebird”

Miranda Lambert is gearing up to drop a new single, “Bluebird,” from her seventh studio album, Wildcard. The hopeful tune follows the release of lead single, “It All Comes Out in the Wash,” in July.

“Bluebird, which Miranda co-wrote with Luke Dick and Natalie Hemby, impacts country radio on Dec. 9.

“This song is special,” says Miranda. “It’s got this hope to it. It’s got a darkness too, though, but it’s also hopeful. Life is going to give you lemons, period. If there wasn’t problems then we wouldn’t appreciate the great days, but going through those things and overcoming problems—whatever they are—makes us strong and appreciate the sun. You know, it’s like ten straight days of rain and then the sun comes out and you’re like, ‘I forgot how much I loved it.’ Since we wrote ‘Bluebird,’ I’ve been seeing bluebirds everywhere. And the bluebirds have been there, but I never saw them like I see them now. It kinda reminds me to open my eyes to what’s around me.”

Listen to “Bluebird” below.

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Maren Morris, Garth Brooks & Keith Urban Share What They’re Thankful for in 2019

Maren Morris, Garth Brooks & Keith Urban Share What They’re Thankful for in 2019

As everyone takes a break to stuff themselves with turkey and count their blessings on Thanksgiving, we asked three of our favorite country stars—Maren Morris, Garth Brooks and Keith Urban—to tell us what they’re thankful for in 2019. And wouldn’t ya know it, “family” was a common theme.


Maren Morris

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

“I’m thankful for my health and my husband [Ryan Hurd] and our baby on the way—and getting to do this crazy dream for a living. The response to my album [Girl] this year has been really emotional and incredible, so I’m thankful for all of that.”


Garth Brooks

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

“The health of my children, the health of my wife [Trisha Yearwood], of course. Also, I’m getting to watch my girls [Allie Colleen, 23, August Anna, 25, and Taylor Mayne, 27] turn into their mother [Sandy Mahl] and Trisha, so it’s beautiful to see that. I’m watching three girls in their 20s step into the workforce. I’m watching them roll up their sleeves—no excuses—and get in there and just work. That makes me proud as a father.”


Keith Urban

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

“Seeing our family grow—Nicole [Kidman] and I have almost-9 [Faith Margaret] and 11-year-old [Sunday Rose] girls, seeing them starting to flourish is unbelievable.”

photos by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

“CMA Country Christmas” Photo Gallery With Chris Young, Lady Antebellum, Brett Young, Trisha Yearwood & More

“CMA Country Christmas” Photo Gallery With Chris Young, Lady Antebellum, Brett Young, Trisha Yearwood & More

CMA Country Christmas, a two-hour music celebration, will air on ABC on Dec. 3. Hosted by Trisha Yearwood, this year’s festive showcase was taped on Sept. 25 at Belmont University’s Curb Event Center in Nashville.

A number of stars took the stage to sing their favorite yuletide tunes, including Trisha, Dierks Bentley, Runaway June, Kristin Chenoweth, for King & Country, Chris Janson, Tori Kelly, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Runaway June, CeCe Winans, Brett Young and Chris Young.

“Music, memories and enjoying the season with loved ones are what make Christmastime so special,” says Trisha. “Hosting CMA Country Christmas is an opportunity to share joy and celebrate the holidays with friends and family everywhere.”

This year’s artist/song lineup features:

  • Trisha Yearwood – “Silver Bells,” “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Winter Wonderland” medley
  • Lady Antebellum – “White Christmas”
  • Tori Kelly – “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
  • Chris Janson – “Run, Run Rudolph”
  • Rascal Flatts with CeCe Winans – “Go Tell It on The Mountain”
  • Kristin Chenoweth – “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”
  • for KING & COUNTRY – “Little Drummer Boy”
  • Dierks Bentley – “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
  • Lady Antebellum – “On A Night Like This” and “Silent Night” medley
  • Chris Young – “The Christmas Song”
  • Runaway June – “Sleigh Ride”
  • Trisha Yearwood with Kristin Chenoweth, Tori Kelly, Hillary Scott and CeCe Winans – “Children Go Where I Send Thee”
  • Rascal Flatts – “Deck the Halls”
  • Kristin Chenoweth – “The Christmas Waltz”
  • Brett Young – “This Christmas”
  • Tori Kelly – “Do You Hear What I Hear”
  • Chris Young – “Holly Jolly Christmas”
  • CeCe Winans – “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
  • Trisha Yearwood – “It Wasn’t His Child”
  • Trisha Yearwood with Kristin Chenoweth, Tori Kelly, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, CeCe Winans and Brett Young – “Feliz Navidad”

Take a look at our photo gallery, courtesy of Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com.

 

photos by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Maddie & Tae’s Maddie Marlow Marries Jonah Font

Maddie & Tae’s Maddie Marlow Marries Jonah Font

After getting engaged in June 2018, Maddie & Tae’s Maddie Marlow, 24, and her longtime boyfriend, Jonah Font, 25, tied the knot in Arrington, Tenn., on Nov. 22.

Maddie and Jonah were high school classmates in Texas.

According to People, Maddie and Jonah got married in front of about 150 family and friends. The newlyweds danced their first song to Kacey Musgraves’ “Late to the Party” and will honeymoon in the Exuma islands in the Bahamas.

Congrats to the happy couple.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

American Music Awards Red Carpet Photo Gallery With Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini, Dan + Shay, Shania Twain & More

American Music Awards Red Carpet Photo Gallery With Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini, Dan + Shay, Shania Twain & More

Before the 2019 American Music Awards were handed out at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Nov. 24, many country stars walked the red carpet, including performers Shania Twain and Thomas Rhett, winners Carrie Underwood, Kane Brown and Dan + Shay, presenter Kelsea Ballerini and more.

Check out our red carpet photo gallery below, courtesy of O’Connor/Arroyo, AFF-USA.com.

photos by O\’Connor/Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown & More Win American Music Awards

Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown & More Win American Music Awards

The 2019 American Music Awards, the world’s largest fan-voted awards show, handed out trophies at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Nov. 24.

Carrie Underwood (Favorite Female Artist-Country and Favorite Album-County) and Dan + Shay (Favorite Duo/Group-Country and Favorite Song-Country) took home two awards apiece, while Kane Brown (Favorite Male Artist-Country) and Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus (Favorite Song-Rap/Hip-Hop) scored one trophy each.

Carrie has now won 15 American Music Awards, tying her with Reba McEntire for the most-awarded female artist in country music history.

Check out the country-centric winners below.

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – COUNTRY 

  • Kane Brown WINNER
  • Luke Combs
  • Thomas Rhett

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – COUNTRY 

  • Kelsea Ballerini
  • Maren Morris
  • Carrie Underwood WINNER

FAVORITE DUO or GROUP – COUNTRY 

  • Dan + Shay WINNER
  • Florida Georgia Line
  • Old Dominion

FAVORITE ALBUM – COUNTRY 

  • Kane Brown – Experiment
  • Dan + Shay – Dan + Shay
  • Carrie Underwood – Cry Pretty WINNER

FAVORITE SONG – COUNTRY 

  • Luke Combs – “Beautiful Crazy”
  • Dan + Shay – “Speechless” WINNER
  • Blake Shelton – “God’s Country”

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR

  • Luke Combs
  • Billie Eilish WINNER
  • Lil Nas X
  • Lizzo
  • Ella Mai

COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR

  • Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper – “Shallow”
  • Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road”
  • Marshmello & Bastille – “Happier”
  • Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello – “Señorita” WINNER
  • Post Malone & Swae Lee – “Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)”

FAVORITE MUSIC VIDEO

  • Billie Eilish – “bad guy”
  • Ariana Grande – “7 rings”
  • Halsey – “Without Me”
  • Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road”
  • Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down” WINNER

FAVORITE SONG – POP/ROCK

  • Halsey -“Without Me” WINNER
  • Jonas Brothers – “Sucker”
  • Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road”
  • Panic! At The Disco – “High Hopes”
  • Post Malone & Swae Lee – “Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)”

FAVORITE SONG – RAP/HIP-HOP

  • Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus -“Old Town Road” WINNER
  • Post Malone – “Wow.”
  • Travis Scott – “SICKO MODE”

photo by O\’Connor/Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Dominant Passing Attack Leads Vols Past Missouri, 24-20

Dominant Passing Attack Leads Vols Past Missouri, 24-20

Credit: UT Athletics

COLUMBIA, Mo. – A career performance from redshirt junior quarterback Jarrett Guarantano and 100-yard receiving outputs from three different receivers pushed Tennessee past Missouri 24-20 for its fourth consecutive win and its fifth win in six games on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

The Vols improved to 6-5 on the year and 4-3 in SEC play, becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 2016, while Missouri fell to 5-6 and 2-5 in conference play.

Guarantano put together an impressive display through the air, completing 23-of-40 passes for a career-high 415 yards and two touchdowns. Guarantano’s performance moved him into eighth all-time in career passing yards, surpassing 1998 National Champion quarterback Tee Martin. Guarantano sits with 4,721 career passing yards.

This was Guarantano’s first career 400-plus yard performance and the first 400 yard passing output for any Vol since Tyler Bray threw for 404 yards in 2012, when current offensive coordinator Jim Chaney was in his first stint with the Vols.

Tennessee closed tonight’s contest with seniors Jauan Jennings and Marquez Callaway and junior Josh Palmer each surpassing 100 receiving yards. This is the first time UT has had three receivers surpass the century mark in a single game.

Palmer finished the night with a career and game-high 124 yards on six receptions.

Callaway and Jennings each finished with one touchdown and 110 and 115 yards, respectively. Both Callaway and Jennings moved into the top-10 in program history for career 100-yard performances. This was Jennings’ sixth career 100-yard output and the fifth for Callaway.

Jennings’ 115 yards moved him into sixth all-time in career receiving yards with 2,070 yards, passing Denarious Moore and Tim McGee.

On the defensive side of the ball, senior Daniel Bituli impressed with a game-high 12 total tackles and a crucial sack early in the fourth quarter to force a Missouri three-and-out.

The Tigers opened the scoring with a 30-yard field goal from Tucker McCann, following an 11 play, 57-yard drive that took 4:28 off the clock, giving them an early 3-0 advantage.

The Vols responded with a six play, 58-yard drive, yet Brent Cimaglia’s 34-yard field goal was blocked, holding the score at 3-0 in favor of the Tigers.

After holding the Missouri offense, UT drove 86 yards in nine plays, with freshman linebacker Quavaris Crouch punching it in on offense from a yard out for his first career touchdown in the second quarter. The drive was highlighted by a 51-yard pitch-and-catch from Guarantano to Jennings, tying Jennings’ season-long reception.

Crouch’s touchdown was the first by a UT defensive player, since AJ Johnson did so in 2012.

On Missouri’s ensuing drive, the Tigers strung together 75 yards in nine plays, with quarterback Kelly Bryant connecting with Tyler Badie from nine yards out, to give Missouri its second lead of the evening at 10-7.

After the teams traded three-and-outs, Tennessee regained the lead following a 16-yard touchdown connection from Guarantano to Jennings. Jennings corralled the ball at the five-yard line, before breaking a series of tackles on his way to the end zone.

Earlier in the same drive, Guarantano found Jennings for 20 yards on a key conversion on third-and-18 to keep the drive alive.

After the UT defense forced a Missouri punt, Guarantano and the offense took advantage of the final 38 seconds of the half, driving 66 yards in five plays, before Cimaglia connected on a 27-yard field goal to extend the Tennessee lead to 17-10 heading into the halftime break.

Guarantano found Palmer twice on that drive for 44 yards to help put the Vols in position to score.

Out of the locker room, Missouri opened the second half scoring with an eight-play, 55-yard drive, capped off by a second touchdown grab by Badie, this time coming from receiver Micah Wilson who acted as the Tigers quarterback, tying the contest at 17 apiece.

After trading punts, the Tennessee offense went back to work as Guarantano found Callaway twice through the air for 48 yards. The first connection between the two, put the Vols just outside the red zone, while the second went for a 17-yard touchdown as Callaway pulled in an impressive grab with a Missouri defender draped over him, giving Tennessee a 24-17 lead late in the third quarter.

Following a Tennessee fumble in the early stages of the final quarter, Missouri cut into the UT lead after McCann converted his second field goal of the night, this time from 33 yards, making the score 24-20 still in favor of the Vols.

Holding a slim four-point advantage, the Tennessee defense forced a late three-and-out, while the offense moved the chains twice to run out the clock, cementing their sixth win of the season.

Up next, Tennessee returns home for Senior Day when it takes on Vanderbilt inside Neyland Stadium, next Saturday for a 4 p.m. ET kickoff on SEC Network. UT’s class of 14 seniors will be honored on the field prior to kickoff.

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