Bituli Named SEC Defensive Player of the Week

Bituli Named SEC Defensive Player of the Week

Posted on November 11, 2019
Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee linebacker Daniel Bituli was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week after a stellar performance in UT’s closely-contested 17-13 comeback win at Kentucky, the conference announced Monday.

The senior led Tennessee with a season-high and SEC-best 19 tackles to help lift the Vols to their third consecutive win.

Bituli spearheaded a defense that shutout the Wildcats in the second half. No stop, however, was bigger than Bituli’s tackle on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line when he stuffed Kentucky quarterback Lynn Bowden’s quarterback option run with just over one-minute remaining to secure the victory.

The Nashville native finished with 10 solo tackles and added a half-tackle for loss as the Vols erased a 13-0 first-quarter deficit and held the Wildcats scoreless in the second half at Kroger Field.

His 19-tackle performance is tied for the fifth-highest total by a Power 5 player in 2019.

The honor marks the second of the year for Bituli who was previously recognized on Oct. 28 after an impressive display in UT’s 41-21 victory over South Carolina when he paced Tennessee with 15 tackles, 1.0 TFL and blocked a punt he returned for touchdown to provide the final scoring margin, which was the largest win the Vols have had over the Gamecocks since 1999’s 30-7 victory.

Bituli was also named to the PFF College National Team of the Week.

Jennings Added to Biletnikof Award Watchlist

Tennessee wide receiver Jauan Jennings has been named to the 2019 Biletnikof Award watchlist, the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation announced Monday.

The redshirt senior is fifth in the SEC in receiving yards (771) and in touchdown receptions (7) while ranking sixth in receptions (50) and eighth in yards per catch (15.42). Jennings has three 100-yard games this season, including a career-high 174 receiving yards in UT’s win over South Carolina to go along with two multi-touchdown receiving games.

Jennings opened the season with at least one receiving touchdown in the Vols’ first three games, becoming the first Tennessee player since Josh Malone in 2016 to do so. He is also the first UT receiver since Malone in 2016 to haul in multiple touchdowns on two occasions in the same year.

His 174-yard receiving performance against South Carolina was the most receiving yards by a Tennessee player in an SEC game since Denarius Moore had 228 at South Carolina in 2010.

Adding to his career year, the Murfreesboro, Tenn., native has been vaulting up the record books this season. For his career, Jennings has hauled in 137 passes which ranks him sixth all-time in program history. His 1,955 career receiving yards rank eighth while the Blackman High School product’s 17 career touchdown receptions place him in a tie with Robert Meachem for eighth all-time in Tennessee history.

The Biletnikof Award is presented annually to college football’s most outstanding FBS receiver at any position by the Tallahassee Football Club Foundation, who will name its 10 semifinalists on Nov. 18. Finalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 25, and the winner will be revealed on Dec. 12 during the Home Depot College Football Awards show.

Past Biletnikof Award winners include Calvin Johnson, Randy Moss, Michael Crabtree, Amari Cooper, Larry Fitzgerald and the late Terry Glenn.

 

UT Athletics

Video Premiere: Carrie Underwood Overcome With Emotion After Hearing Miranda Lambert’s Praise: “We Lift Each Other Up”

Video Premiere: Carrie Underwood Overcome With Emotion After Hearing Miranda Lambert’s Praise: “We Lift Each Other Up”

Posted on November 11, 2019

During a sit-down interview on The Ty Bentli Show this week, Carrie Underwood was overcome with emotion after hearing Miranda Lambert’s praise regarding her nomination for CMA Entertainer of the Year.

Here’s a little backstory regarding Miranda’s praise.

Last month in a lengthy Instagram post, Miranda Lambert shared her personal thoughts about the five nominees for Entertainer of the Year—Keith Urban, Garth Brooks, Eric Church, Chris Stapleton and Carrie Underwood—at the upcoming CMA Awards on Nov. 13. While Miranda had positive things to say about each nominee, she stumped for Carrie to be recognized as Entertainer of the Year, saying, in part, “That iconic voice has been classin’ up our stages, charts and televisions for a decade and a half.”

During a follow-up interview with Kix Brooks of American Country Countdown, Miranda elaborated on her position that Carrie deserves the coveted award.

“To me, the Entertainer of the Year is who’s represented the genre in every way the best for that year,” says Miranda. “It just was kind of haunting me. I really felt compelled to say something and, you know, watching Carrie host the CMAs pregnant [last year], and also do the Monday Night Football campaign, and also have a brand, and also work with charity, and be a wife, and be a mother and then host [the CMAs this year] with two legendary country artists . . . and go on tour. She tours like a rock star—she does every other day while we’re weekend warriors over here. I just know how much work that is. She works harder than I do, and I work hard [laughing]. I just felt like, as a whole, with her tour and everything she encompasses and what she’s represented for country music, she deserves it. She just does.”

When Carrie visited The Ty Bentli Show, the titular host played Miranda’s audio from Kix’s show, letting Carrie hear it for the first time.

“It’s really cool,” says Carrie. “She’s always been just super supportive and super sweet.”

Ty followed up by asking Carrie about the prospect of winning CMA Entertainer of the Year, which elicited a heartfelt, genuine response from one of country’s biggest stars.

“First, I’m kind of emotional,” says Carrie. “It’s a nomination for all of us. It would definitely be, ya know, not just a win for all of the things that we’ve been doing, all that stuff that [Miranda] mentioned that I’m so lucky and blessed enough to do, but you know, you watch other women in this industry do the same thing, you know, it’s . . . I don’t know what I’m trying to say.”

Carrie turned her attention to her recent tourmates, Maddie & Tae and Runaway June, by singing their collective praises.

“I watched Maddie & Tae and Runaway June, and I saw all of the stuff that they did everyday just trying to move forward and trying to get more and more people to notice—they’re so stinking talented,” says Carrie. “They have great songs, and I’m like, ‘You guys work harder than anybody I’ve ever been around in this business.’ They did not have days off. They were out hustling. I feel like we have so much talent, we just need some more open doors, and I don’t want any woman to feel like they can’t do everything—they can’t have this life, and have a family and have all of the things going on together and do what they do. We’re all in it together. If there’s one incredible thing that’s happened from all of this talk about women in country music, it’s the fact that I feel like we’ve all banded together. We all understand—we’re the only ones that can understand because we’re women in this business. They don’t know what it’s like to be us. We lift each other up. We support each other. Miranda didn’t have to say any of that stuff.”

Carrie’s entire interview from The Ty Bentli Show will air on Nov. 13.

Watch the aforementioned clip of Carrie’s interview from The Ty Bentli Show below, and tune in to the CMA Awards on Nov. 13 to see who takes home the Entertainer of the Year trophy.

SESAC Music Awards With Runaway June, Rosanne Cash, Lee Brice, Jimmie Allen & More [Photo Gallery]

SESAC Music Awards With Runaway June, Rosanne Cash, Lee Brice, Jimmie Allen & More [Photo Gallery]

Posted on November 11, 2019

Performing rights organization SESAC held its Nashville Music Awards at the Country Music Hall of Fame on Nov. 10 to honor its Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year, Publisher of the Year and the its Most Performed Songs of 2019.

Justin Ebach, who co-penned Dustin Lynch’s “Good Girl” and Brett Young’s “Here Tonight,” among others, was named Songwriter of the Year, while Luke Combs’ “Beautiful Crazy, which was co-penned by Luke, Wyatt Durrette and Robert Williford, was named Song of the Year. Warner Chappell Music was awarded Publisher of the Year.

Jimmie Allen’s “Best Shot,” Russell Dickerson’s “Blue Tacoma,” Runaway June’s “Buy My Own Drinks,” Eric Church’s “Desperate Man,” Luke Combs’ “Beautiful Crazy,” Chris Young’s “Hangin’ On,” and more were among SESAC’s Most Performed Songs of 2019.

Blanco Brown, Jimmie Allen and Ray Wylie Hubbard performed during the evening’s ceremony.

A number of stars walked the red carpet before the ceremony, including Ray Wylie Hubbard, Rosanne Cash, Lee Brice, Jimmie Allen, Runaway June, Blanco Brown and more.

Check out our red carpet photo gallery, courtesy of Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com.

 

photos by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Lady Vol Basketball – Lady Vol Hoops Report (11/10/19)

Lady Vol Basketball – Lady Vol Hoops Report (11/10/19)

Posted on November 10, 2019
Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Head Coach Kellie Harper met with the media on Sunday afternoon in advance of her team’s trip to Notre Dame.

The Lady Vols, who are receiving votes in both the AP and USA Today Coaches’ Polls, will face the No. 16/14 Fighting Irish in Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center at 7 p.m. ET on Monday. The game will be televised by ESPN2 and broadcast on Lady Vol Network radio stations and via a live stream on UTSports.com.

Tennessee and Notre Dame both enter the game with 2-0 records. The Lady Vols defeated East Tennessee State in Johnson City last Monday night, 72-68, and handled Central Arkansas in Knoxville on Thursday evening, 63-36. The Irish, meanwhile, opened with a 60-55 victory at Fordham last Tuesday and defeated Loyola Maryland at home on Friday night, 84-60.

Tennessee Head Coach Kellie Harper

On her expectations for the game against Notre Dame:
“I hope our team comes out and plays with poise and plays with confidence and plays with great passion and great intensity, but I’m excited to be able to see where we are. Going up and playing against a tough team in a tough environment, I think it will really challenge our players, and hopefully we’re ready to compete.”

On the players’ mindset the past few days knowing they’re facing a top-20 opponent:
“I think they’ve been excited about the opportunity. I think that’s how they look at things. And I think they were excited about our progress from game one to game two; I think that was a real positive for us. But I think mindset-wise, they’ve been ok. They’ve come to practice in a good state mentally, and they’re just looking forward to tackling their next opponent.”

On the challenge of playing three games in seven days:
“As a coach, I sure wish I had three more practice days in there, but coaches, we never get enough practice days. It’s come quickly. They’ve had to bounce back quickly. They’ve had to learn quickly. They’ve had to take film sessions that maybe would’ve been a little bit longer, but we had to shorten them to be able to get through what we needed to get through to prepare for another team. These scouting reports have really come quickly.”

On the value of having already played a road game:
“Honestly, for us, our first road trip was a lot about logistics, management, seeing where we need to clean some things up. We want to make sure we’re efficient, we’re effective, how we get in and out of the locker room. There were a lot of things that I needed under their belts logistically before we go up to Notre Dame, so that was a good positive that we got that done. When you have that confidence that you know what’s about to happen – you know what pregame is going to look like, you know what riding on the bus to the game is going to look like. And that can give you confidence in many other areas.”

On the differences between playing home and away:
“There are differences, even how you handle yourself at the hotel. Just having that (game at ETSU), and knowing our expectations and having done it, I think, is important. Also, at ETSU we played in a pretty loud and a pretty tough environment, and I think that’s going to be beneficial.”

On the challenges Notre Dame will present:
“I think Notre Dame is really good in transition. They are great passers, and they are great cutters. And I think those three things – you’ve got to slow them down in the transition game, but you’ve got to be able to defend the cuts. They’re great passers in the half-court game as well. Obviously, they’re not deep, but the players they do have can make plays.”

On if she wants to push the tempo:
“I think our pace is important to us, and when we’ve played fast, we’ve been better. So yes, we want to have a good tempo, especially offensively. And we’ve got to be able to slow their tempo down on the other end.”

On how this year’s Notre Dame team is different from last season:
“They’re different in their personnel, but they’re doing a lot of the same things. They’re just tough. Notre Dame players are just coached very tough. They’re going to be physical, and they’re going to do what they need to do defensively. They’re going to change up their defenses and really pound you on the boards, but I think one of the things they were known for last year was their transition offense. That hasn’t changed. The personnel has changed, but they’re looking for the same things.”

On what she looks for in a sixth man:
“High energy. A player that’s going to come in and make plays. I have had some terrific players come off the bench for me in the past. I’ve had all conference players come off the bench in the past. I think you’ve got to have someone who is going to come in the game and give you a boost of energy when they enter the game and be a playmaker for you.”

On if games like this will help when they get into SEC play:
“Oh, absolutely. I want to play a tough schedule. I want to play teams that are going to challenge us. You may walk out of the non-conference schedule with a loss or two more than you would’ve otherwise, but the ultimate goal is to be the best at the end of the season, and we have to be ready for SEC play, so we have to be playing teams that are big, strong, athletic and can execute.”

On if she talked to the guards about being more aggressive after Central Arkansas:
“We have talked to all of our guards about being a little more aggressive when they get the ball to the paint. We showed them the film. There were a few times where we passed up some opportunities, and I think that’s going to be a work in progress for us. We’ve worked on it in practice, but we’ve got to make that a habit. Our guards have to be a little more aggressive and play a little more downhill when they’re going to the basket.”

 

UT Athletics

Hoops Preview: Tennessee vs. Murray State

Hoops Preview: Tennessee vs. Murray State

Posted on November 10, 2019
Vols G Jalen Johnson / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee men’s basketball returns to the hardwood for the second game of its two game homestand when it takes on Murray State at Thompson-Boling Arena on Tuesday night. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. ET on SEC Network.

Tuesday’s game will be available on SEC Network and online through WatchESPN. Visit espn.com/watch or download the ESPN app to view the game on a computer or mobile device. Kevin Fitzgerald (play-by-play) and Dane Bradshaw (color) will have the call.

Fans can also listen live on their local Vol Network affiliate to catch Bob Kesling and Bert Bertlekamp calling the action.

The Vols opened the new season last Tuesday with a 78-63 win over UNC Asheville. UT saw key contributions from juniors Yves Pons and John Fulkerson. Pons tallied a career-high 15 points, while helping Tennessee control the glass, pulling in seven rebounds. Fulkerson nearly recorded a double-double, scoring 10 points and bringing down a team-high nine rebounds.

The matchup will be the fourth for the Vols against Murray State, with the last meeting coming in December of 2006. The Vols currently hold a perfect 3-0 record over the Racers, looking to retain their unblemished mark against the program form Kentucky. Tuesday’s game will also be the first ever meeting for Rick Barnes against Murray State.

Racers head coach, Matt McMahon–a native of East Tennessee and the city of Oak Ridge–will make his Thompson-Boling debut in his first matchup against the Orange & White.

Up next, Tennessee will head north to make its Canadian debut in the 2019 James Naismith Classic on Saturday, Nov. 16 for a 5 p.m. ET tip against Washington in Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena. The game will be available on ESPN+ for fans in the U.S. and can be streamed online and on any mobile device through the ESPN app.

THE SERIES
• Tennessee leads the all-time series with Murray State 3-0.
• After first meeting in Knoxville in 1945, these programs did not play again until November of 2005 in Nashville. The most recent meeting came in December of 2006 in Knoxville.
• Murray State head coach Matt McMahon is a native of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and a graduate of Oak Ridge High School.
• McMahon was a graduate assistant at Tennessee under head coach Buzz Peterson during the 2001-02 season.

A WIN WOULD…
• Give the Volunteers their 28th consecutive home win; it is the longest active home win streak in Division I.
• Leave Rick Barnes‘ six wins away from recording his 700th career head coaching victory.

STORYLINES
• Tennessee looks to extend the nation’s longest active home win streak Tuesday. A victory over Murray State would stand as UT’s 28th straight win at Thompson-Boling Arena.
• Tennessee has won five straight home games against teams from the state of Kentucky, dating to February of 2016. That includes four victories over Kentucky and a victory over Eastern Kentucky.
• Murray State is adjusting to life after All-American guard Ja Morant, who was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the No. 2 overall pick in June’s NBA Draft. Morant led the Racers to back-to-back OVC regular-season titles, OVC Tournament championships and NCAA Tournament berths.

LAYUP LINES
• Eight of the nine Vols who played in last Tuesday’s season-opener vs. UNC Asheville scored.
• Rick Barnes hopes to see a dramatic reduction in turnovers after the Vols’ starting backcourt accounted 13 turnovers in the opener.
• Juniors Yves Pons (15 points) and Jalen Johnson (eight points) both set career-highs for scoring in the win over UNC Asheville.
• Junior forward John Fulkerson was +20 against UNC Asheville and was one rebound shy of logging a double-double (10 points, nine rebounds).
• 7-foot transfer forward Uroš Plavšic is inactive this season after his NCAA waiver for immediate eligibility was denied.
• Freshman forward Drew Pember suffered a right ankle injury during UT’s Oct. 30 exhibition. He missed the UNC Asheville game, and his status is day-to-day.

ABOUT MURRAY STATE
• The Racers opened their 2019-20 campaign with a 69-49 victory over Southern University on Saturday night. Top returners, Tevin Brown and KJ Williams led the way for Murray State accounting for 17 and 15 points respectively. The victory was the Racers 21st home opening victory since moving into the CFSB Center 22 years ago, with the lone loss coming in 2014 against Houston.
• After losing the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, guard Ja Morant, Murray State will look to redshirt sophomore guard Tevin Brown as a key contributor. Brown is the Racers’ leading returner in scoring (11.8 ppg), assists (2.3 apg) and steals (1.1 spg), while also showing himself as a force on the glass, averaging 6.5 rebounds per game last season.
• The Racers also return forward Darnell Cowart. The senior, in his first season with Murray State—after transferring from junior college—was named to the 2019 OVC All-Newcomer Team after averaging 10.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game last season. After Cowart was inserted into the starting lineup in their 22nd game, the Racers reeled off 12 consecutive wins to end the season before losing to Florida State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
• Murray State head coach Matt McMahon and assistant coach Tim Kaine are both East Tennessee natives, hailing from nearby Oak Ridge.
• Along with two key returners, the Racers also look to gain production from their talented class of freshmen guards. Noah Kamba (6-2, Brookline, Mass.) provides a unique playmaking ability, along with a high level of quickness and speed. While, Chico Carter Jr. (6-2, Columbia, S.C.) has the ability to distribute as well as any guard, along with being an effective scorer.
• Murray State was named the most Instagrammed college in the state of Kentucky in a 2019 study.
• The Boy Scouts of America Scouting Museum is located on Murray State’s campus.

LAST MEETING WITH MURRAY STATE
• All-American guard Chris Lofton scored 20 points, Wayne Chism added 13 and Tennessee beat Murray State 89-64 on Dec. 1, 2006, at Thompson-Boling Arena.
• Lofton made his first four shot attempts—all 3-pointers—in the first half when the Volunteers led by as many as 18 points.
• The Racers opened the second half with a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 42-35, but Tennessee followed with a 15-0 run started on a basket by Duke Crews. A dunk by Chism gave the Vols a 57-35 lead with 15:05 remaining, and Murray State couldn’t keep up afterward.
• Crews and Dane Bradshaw each scored 12 points for the Vols. JaJuan Smith added 10 points and eight rebounds for UT. Chism grabbed nine rebounds.
• Tennessee’s Jordan Howell played his second game as the starting point guard, taking over for freshman Ramar Smith.
• Tyler Holloway, Kevin Thomas and Marvin Williams led Murray State with nine points each.

McMAHON AN OAK RIDGE NATIVE
• Murray State head coach Matt McMahon is a native of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and is a graduate of Oak Ridge High School.
• McMahon spent the 2001-02 season on staff at Tennessee as a graduate assistant under head coach Buzz Peterson.
• Racers assistant coach Tim Kaine also is a native of Oak Ridge.

VOL LEGEND’S SON ON RACERS STAFF
• Murray State Director of Player Development Ronrico White is the son of Tennessee All-American Tony White.
• Ronrico White is in his first season on the Racers’ staff. He was an assistant coach at Gardner-Webb last season. A Knoxville native and Bearden High School graduate, Ronrico played collegiately at Chattanooga.
• Tony White ranks third on UT’s all-time scoring list with 2,219 career points from 1983-87. The 1987 SEC Player of the Year joins Bernard King as the only Vols ever to lead the SEC in scoring multiple times. He also holds Tennessee’s single-game scoring record, as he dropped 51 points on Auburn on Valentine’s Day in 1987.

FRONTCOURT EFFICIENCY
• In Tennessee’s season-opening win over UNC Asheville Tuesday, forwards John Fulkerson, Yves Pons and Olivier Nkamhoua combined to shoot 14-of-21 (.667) from the field.
• That trio also had five assists and only two turnovers in 69+ total minutes of action.

NATION’S LONGEST WIN STREAK
• Tennessee is riding a 27-game home win streak that is tied for the longest active streak among Division I teams. Buffalo has won 26 straight at home and hosts home games on Nov. 8 (Dartmouth) and Nov. 11 (Nazareth College).
• The streak dates to the 2017-18 season. The Vols won their final eight games at Thompson-Boling Arena that year before going 18-0 at home last season.
• Tennessee’s last loss in Knoxville was a 94-84 loss to Auburn on Jan. 2, 2018.
• The program record for consecutive home wins is 37 (2006-09). The current streak is the fourth-longest in UT history. The Vols have also authored home win streaks of 33 games (1966-68) and 28 games (1935-37).

TENNESSEE PROGRAM READY TO MAKE ITS CANADIAN DEBUT
• After facing Murray State, Tennessee makes its Canadian debut (in any team sport) Nov. 16, as the Volunteers are set to face Washington as part of the James Naismith Classic in Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena.
• The inaugural tripleheader event also features games between Buffalo-Harvard and Rutgers-St. Bonaventure.
• In their second season under the direction of head coach Mike Hopkins, the Huskies won the 2019 Pac-12 regular-season championship and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Washington finished with a 27-9 (15-3 Pac-12) record. Hopkins has led UW to back-to-back 20-win seasons and has claimed consecutive Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors.
• Tennessee is 18-11 all-time against current members of the Pac-12.
• Vols head coach Rick Barnes owns a 30-22 career record against current members of the Pac-12. Washington is the only Pac-12 school he has never faced.

-UT Athletics

Second-Half Surge, Goal-Line Stand Lead Vols Past Kentucky, 17-13

Second-Half Surge, Goal-Line Stand Lead Vols Past Kentucky, 17-13

Posted on November 10, 2019
Vols WR Marquez Callaway / Credit: UT Athletics

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A goal-line stand on fourth-and-goal by the Tennessee defense sealed a 17-13 victory over Kentucky at Kroger Field on Saturday night.

After Tennessee stifled three consecutive Wildcat runs from inside the 6-yard line, Kentucky quarterback Lynn Bowden Jr. ran for the end zone on fourth-down and was stopped by the Vols’ Daniel Bituli and Ja’Quain Blakely with 1:17 remaining.

When the Vols got the ball back, redshirt junior quarterback Jarrett Guarantano put the game away with a 10-yard run on third-and-four to allow Tennessee (5-5, 3-3 SEC) to run the clock out.

Led by Guarantano, Tennessee came back from a 13-0 first-half deficit to win. It was the largest deficit that a UT team has overcome to win since Sept. 4, 2017 against Georgia Tech. Guarantano came off the bench to start the second half under center and engineered back-to-back touchdown drives in the third quarter, completing his first seven passes in the process.

Marquez Callaway collected 104 yards and one touchdown through the air, his third 100-yard receiving game of the season. Josh Palmer had a season-high-tying 55 receiving yards and caught his first touchdown of the season.

The Tennessee defense held the Wildcats to 327 yards of total offense and 25 yards passing, while collecting a pair of sacks and an interception. Daniel Bituli led all players in tackles, tallying a season-high 19 stops.

Kentucky opened the game with an 11-play, 75-yard scoring drive that took more than 10 minutes off the clock, capped off by an Asim Rose two-yard run. After blocking a Tennessee punt, UK scored again on a 22-yard run from Kavosiey Smoke. Vols defensive lineman Darel Middleton blocked the extra point attempt to keep the Wildcat lead at 13-0 with 2:28 left in the first quarter.

Tennessee’s first points came in the second quarter via an 11-play, 71-yard drive, capped by a Brent Cimaglia 26-yard field goal.

The Vols held Kentucky scoreless for the rest of the first half, as a Nigel Warrior interception halted a Wildcat drive near midfield. The interception was Warrior’s fourth this season.

After entering the game to start the second half at quarterback, Guarantano pieced together a seven-play, 75-yard drive, resulting in the Vols’ first touchdown of the game. Guarantano connected with Callaway on a 33-yard pass to move into Kentucky territory before the duo again hooked up on a 17-yard scoring pass to make it 13-10.

The defense followed UT’s scoring drive by forcing a UK three-and-out highlighted by a Darrell Taylor sack.

The next drive, UT would take its first lead of the night as Guarantano and Josh Palmer connected on a 12-yard touchdown pass to put the Vols up 17-13. Guarantano completed all five of his throws on the seven-play, 68-yard drive.

The defense then stymied UK for the second-straight drive. On fourth-and-six, Matthew Butler sacked UK quarterback Lynn Bowden Jr. for a loss of six yards to give UT the ball.

After a quick possession by the Vols and with UK driving late in the fourth quarter, the Tennessee defense forced an incompletion on fourth-and-three to give the ball back to the offense.

-UT Athletics

Fulmer Provides Update on Neyland Stadium Renovation Plans

Fulmer Provides Update on Neyland Stadium Renovation Plans

Posted on November 10, 2019
Neyland Stadium / Credit: UT Athletics

A revised year-by-year progress plan is in place for the Neyland Stadium renovation project. Tennessee Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer announced last November that it was prudent to conduct a full review of the plan initially approved in 2017.

The decision to pause the renovations process allowed the project team to review and confirm the scope elements and financial model associated with the project. That review has resulted in a rigorously contemplated, highly prioritized and well-balanced design approach to meet a broader list of project goals—outlined below—and ultimately enhance the fan experience for the entire community in attendance on gamedays.

PROJECT GOALS

  • Design a stadium exterior integrated into the campus fabric that embraces the objectives of the Campus Masterplan and the established architectural language of the university
  • Build new entry plazas in the southwest and southeast that create a cohesive exterior architecture while consolidating stadium entry for easier access, improved security and operational control
  • Expand the main south concourse to improve safety, functionality and fan comfort
  • Improve restrooms to comply with modern standards for number of fixtures, accessibility and ease of use by patrons
  • Increase the quantity of concession stands in the south end of the stadium while also upgrading food and beverage quality, selection and availability
  • Develop an on-site kitchen and commissary to enable catering service to designated points throughout the stadium
  • Create new and diverse seating alternatives and gathering spaces
  • Upgrade technology infrastructure and capabilities throughout the stadium—specifically addressing sound quality along with digital video displays

The updated plan meets the requirements from the previous Board of Trustee approval and outlines specific improvement outcomes from 2019 through 2023.

“I appreciate the patience of our fans and donors as we’ve worked through a very thorough review of our plans to start preparing Neyland Stadium for its next 100 years of service,” Fulmer said. “I’m very pleased about where we’ve landed. It was important to me that the earliest work of the upcoming renovations focused on areas that impacted the fan experience for everyone in the stadium.”

This fall, fans visiting Neyland Stadium have experienced a new, 360-degree LED ribbon board, as well as the opportunity to purchase alcoholic beverages. Another fan enhancement this season was the replacement of all cushioned seats for the more than 15,000 ticket holders who take advantage of that opportunity.

Next, the stadium’s sound system will be replaced and significantly upgraded prior to the 2020 football season.

“After addressing what we identified as immediate and key enhancements for all of our fans stadium-wide, the renovations then transition to other important features that will positively impact program recruiting and fan comfort and enjoyment,” Fulmer said.

Upgrades for the fall of 2021—the stadium’s centennial—include a renovation of The Lauricella Center for Letter Winners and Wolf-Kaplan Hospitality Center, and the conversion of fifth-level media facilities on the stadium’s west side into a unique, open-air donor lounge. As a result, facilities for working press on gamedays will be relocated to the stadium’s east side, in closer proximity to the Stokely Family Media Center. Broadcast media—TV and radio crews—will remain in the current west-side location.

By the fall of 2022, the updated plans enable the completion of main level-one south concourse renovations, the addition of a north-side videoboard and the rebuilding of the lower-west-side seating deck.

This phase of substantial renovations concludes in the fall of 2023 when Tennessee unveils two redefining and fan-engaging plazas at Gate 4 and Gate 10. The latter will feature a signature indoor/outdoor gathering space and amenity area serving select food and beverages.

The overall exterior design will dramatically improve pedestrian traffic and stadium ingress and egress flow.

The project remains within the $180 million budget that was approved by the Board of Trustees in November of 2017. These renovations will continue to be made possible by a funding model that does not require any state funds or subsidies.

ANDERSON TRAINING CENTER UPGRADES ON THE HORIZON
In addition to the impending improvements at Neyland Stadium, expansion and enhancements of Tennessee’s football facilities at Anderson Training Center (ATC) also are on the horizon.

Athletic department officials are in the design stage of a project that is highlighted by the development of a state-of-the-art recovery area, a new players’ lounge and additional square footage for football program use.

The ATC project also includes a complete renovation of the football practice locker room.

“I’ve asked our administration to help us enhance what we do to support the well-being of our student-athletes, and these upgrades deliver the very best for our players,” Tennessee football coach Jeremy Pruitt said. “The spaces we’re creating enable Tennessee to stay on the leading edge from a facility and support standpoint. It’s exciting, and I appreciate the time and effort that Coach Fulmer and his staff have dedicated to this critical piece.”

Fulmer remains clear in his intent to ensure that Tennessee’s other sport programs also remain national standard bearers.

“With a solid roadmap in place for Neyland Stadium and our football program, we must now turn our attention to developing a facility master plan that is comprehensive of all athletic facilities and develop a course of action to ensure that all of our more than 500 student-athletes have what they need to compete at the highest level.”

STADIUM RENDERINGS

-UT Athletics

Jimmy’s Blog: Trust in Guarantano pays off with spark needed for win at UK

Jimmy’s Blog: Trust in Guarantano pays off with spark needed for win at UK

Posted on November 10, 2019

By Jimmy Hyams

Jarrett Guarantano has said more than once he didn’t start this season the way he wanted.

Maybe he’ll finish it the right way.

Blasted by most of the media, the Tennessee fans and former Vols for his poor play early, the Vols junior quarterback sparked a second-half comeback by throwing for two touchdown passes to lead UT to a 17-13 win on a chilly night in Lexington, Ky.

The victory also put Tennessee (5-5) in position to make a bowl game for the first time in three years. One more win and UT will make postseason play. Missouri and Vanderbilt remain on the schedule.

“He had a great game tonight,’’ Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt said of Guarantano. “We wouldn’t have won this game without Jarrett.’’

That’s true. Guarantano bailed UT out after a miserable first half of offense.

“I’ve trusted Jarrett all along,’’ Pruitt added.

That’s not true. If it were, Guarantano would have started against Kentucky. If it were Pruitt wouldn’t have benched Guarantano after the fourth game.

Pruitt relegated Guarantano to a relief role because Pruitt didn’t trust Guarantano’s decision making. Can’t blame him for that – especially after the ill-fated quarterback sneak at Alabama and the end-zone interception against UAB.

But Pruitt did say Guarantano would help UT win some games even after the coach started other quarterbacks. He was right.

Tennessee doesn’t beat Mississippi State without Guarantano. Might not have won against South Carolina. And certainly wouldn’t have corralled Kentucky (4-5) for the 33 rd time in 35 meetings.

“They call me the sixth man in the locker room,’’ Guarantano said. “That’s pretty funny.’’

Kentucky wasn’t laughing. Guarantano hit his first seven passes of the second half against the Wildcats, including touchdown tosses to Marquez Callaway and Josh Palmer, as UT scored on its first two possessions of the third quarter.

And, for the first time in his career, his legs played a major role. He scrambled for 11 yards on third-and-10 on the first scoring drive of the third quarter – thanks to a crushing block by Tim Jordan. Then, when UT needed to run out the clock with 1:08 left, he rolled right and ran for 10 yards on third-and-4 to seal the deal.

“He threw the ball to open receivers,’’ Pruitt said of Guarantano. “He manufactured points for us and ran the offensive extremely well.’’

Guarantano begged off the suggestion that he took a lot of pride in engineering Tennessee’s triumph.

“I get satisfaction out of winning,’’ he said, “and to do that with the team. I’m proud of that.’’

Guarantano wasn’t the only somewhat-unlikely hero. Linebacker Ja’Quain Blakely, who has only six total tackles on the season, was involved in perhaps the biggest play of the game.

With Kentucky facing fourth-and-goal from just inside the UT 2-yard line with 2 minutes left, Blakely and linebacker Daniel Bituli combined to stop Lynn Bowden on an option play to protect a precarious four-point lead.

Blakely, a redshirt junior has played tight end and fullback, might never make a bigger play in his UT career.

Tennessee was outplayed for most of the game. Kentucky outrushed UT 302 yards to 84, ran 71 plays to 46 and dominated time of possession 41:37 to 18:23.

As Pruitt said: “We didn’t start off the way we needed to.’’

Nope. Kentucky took the opening possession, marched 75 yards on 17 plays and consumed 10:18, thanks in part to two UT off sides penalties.

On Tennessee’s first possession, punter Paxton Brooks dropped a snap and had the punt blocked to set UK up at the UT 24. Two plays later, Kentucky led 13-0.

Darel Middleton, a 6-foot-7 defensive lineman, blocked the extra point, which turned out to be pivotal, as Kentucky was forced to go for touchdowns in the second half when a field goal could have tied the game.

“They were just throwing their best at us,’’ Bituli said. “Things we hadn’t seen.’’

Tennessee managed a field goal in the second quarter to cut the gap to 13-3 but the Vols totaled only 136 first-half yards – 34 coming on a late throw – as freshman quarterback Brian Maurer struggled, going 7 of 16 for 98 yards. He had missed the previous two games and was clearly rusty.

Guarantano then delivered the goods, engineering touchdown drives on UT’s first two possessions of the second half.

The UT defense then did its job, making the necessary adjustments to hold Kentucky scoreless in the final three quarters. The Vols stopped Kentucky’s last three drives on fourth down plays. Those possessions were for 9, 10 and 12 plays. The last three snaps were inside the UT 5-yard line. But UT refused to yield.

While Kentucky pounded out 302 rushing yards, the inability to pass caught up with the Wildcats. Bowden, who rushed for 114 yards on 26 carries, badly underthrew a ball that Nigel Warrior intercepted and appeared to return for a touchdown – until replay showed he stepped out of bounds at his 46.

Bowden’s lack of a passing threat allowed UT to stack the line and make stops at critical moments.

None was more critical than the goal line stand in the final two minutes.

But that wouldn’t have mattered if Guarantano hadn’t rescued the day – and perhaps the season – for Tennessee.

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