Jimmy’s blog: Vols take care of business against outmanned UAB

Jimmy’s blog: Vols take care of business against outmanned UAB

Posted on November 3, 2019

By Jimmy Hyams

When Ty Chandler was asked earlier this week if an upset loss to Georgia State in the season opener would prevent Tennessee from overlooking Alabama-Birmingham, the Vols’ running back had a simple answer:

“Yes sir.’’

Yes sir, indeed. Tennessee kept its eye on the Blazer and kept its improving bowl hopes alive with an easier-than-expected 30-7 victory Saturday night at Neyland Stadium over a 12-point underdog.

UAB was a benevolent guest, throwing three interceptions a losing a fumble in the first half – with three turnovers coming on the initial play of a possession. UT started five of its nine first-half possessions in UAB territory.

Tennessee (4-5) turned those miscues into 20 points as the Vols took a 23-0 halftime lead and coasted to a second win in a row – a first this season.

The Vols allowed a touchdown in the final 2:35 that prevented a second shutout this season. UT had gone seven quarters without allowing a point.

While not an artistic success, UT’s win was efficient. The Vols had just 302 total yards and held UAB to 237  — 63 on the ground.

UAB entered the game with a 6-1 record and the nation’s No. 5 ranked defense, but that was misleading, considered the Blazers played four teams that had no more than one win and a fifth team from the FCS.

But at least Tennessee was focused against a team it was supposed to beat – unlike the opener when Georgia State, a 25-point dog, upended the embarrassed Vols.

Being focused wasn’t the only story line.

The other two were cornerback Bryce Thompson tying a school record with three interceptions – the last to do it was All-American Deon Grant in 1999 — and the play of quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, who passed for 147 yards and touchdown less than a week after having surgery on a broken bone in his left (non-throwing) hand.

Both Thompson and Guarantano have overcome significant adversity this season.

Thompson was suspended over allegations of threatening a women and saying he would “shoot up the school.’’ He was reinstated, then charges were dismissed but he missed three weeks of practice and wasn’t sharp when he returned.

A freshman All-American last year, Thompson had his best game by far against UAB.

A week ago, UT’s defense allowed a 75-yard touchdown pass on the first snap.

This time, Thompson picked off an errant pass on the first play and returned it 23 yards to the UAB 19-yard line.

Thompson got a second pick when he jumped a route and a third on a tipped ball by freshman linebacker Henry To’o To’o.

“I told Bryce I tipped it for him,’’ said a smiling To’o To’o.

Thompson agreed: “He can take credit. It wouldn’t have happened without him.’’

UT coach Jeremy Pruitt seemed to downplay Thompson’s exploits.

“He really just done what he was supposed to,’’ Pruitt said.

Thompson’s play was more revered by his teammates.

“He’s elusive,’’ To’o To’o said. “He studies film. He knows what route a receiver will run. He’s a dog.’’

Thompson played while wearing a knee brace.

“I tried to tell myself, mind over matter,’’ Thompson said.

Thompson said sitting out the opening three games hurt.

“It was definitely a learning lesson,’’ Thompson said. “I’m glad to be back on the team with my family.’’

Guarantano was glad he was able to play after suffering the injury in the first half against South Carolina last week. He had surgery Sunday and wore a protective glove that probably led to one fumble exchange.

“It just shows how tough he is,’’ said running back Eric Gray. “I didn’t think he’d play.’’

Guarantano didn’t start. The nod went to redshirt freshman J.T. Shrout, who played one series, threw a pass across his body that fell incomplete and was benched.

UT also sat Brian Maurer, who Pruitt said was cleared after suffering concussions in back to back games. Maurer missed his second game in a row.

Guarantano wasn’t particularly sharp. He completed 13 of 21 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown, but threw an ill-advised end-zone interception off his back foot that drew the ire of the Vols coaching staff.

Still, the fact Guarantano played impressed his teammates.

Offensive lineman Trey Smith, who has overcome recurring blood clots to start this season, tipped his cap to his quarterback.

“It’s a testament to who he is,’’ Smith said.

Guarantano, who didn’t play well at the start of the season and ran the blow-up-in-your-face quarterback sneak against Alabama, said he never doubted himself.

“I was always taught to have unwavering confidence,’’ Guarantano said.

Yet, he recognized his play earlier wasn’t up to snuff, so he fought through pain and numbness in his left hand to help the Vols on Saturday night.

Where was his pain level in a 1-to-10 scale?

“My dad would say a three, my Mom would say an 11,’’ he said. “It’s somewhere in the middle.’’

But there was no middle ground when it came to whether he would play.

“I owed it to my teammates,’’ Guarantano said. “I didn’t like the way I started the season. I think my teammates deserved this from me.’’

And Guarantano deserved a pat on the back from his teammates for a gutsy performance.

Sponsored by Big Kahuna Wings: The wings that changed it all 

Vince’s View: SEC Week 10 score predictions including UT/UAB

Vince’s View: SEC Week 10 score predictions including UT/UAB

Posted on November 2, 2019
Vols offense / Credit: 99.1 The Sports Animal

By Vince Ferrara / @VinceSports

Below are my predictions for SEC games in Week 10 of the college football season here on my blog, “Vince’s View.”

These are straight-up picks. The point spreads are just for some context of who the favorites are. I will list broadcast information all season as well.

Check back here all season for score predictions on every game involving an SEC team all the way through the bowl season and perhaps, again, the national championship game.

2018 Game Prediction Record: 93-32 (74%)
2019 Week 9 Prediction Record: 3-2 (60%)
2019 Game Prediction Record: 62-14 (82%)

SEC WEEK 9 SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, NOV. 2

UT-San Antonio (3-4) at Texas A&M (5-3, 3-2 SEC)
College Station, Texas • Kyle Field (102,733)
Noon ET • SEC Network
Series: TAMU leads, 1-0
Sirius: 105 • XM: 190
Line: Texas A&M -38
Score Prediction: Texas A&M 56 UT-San Antonio 14

Florida (7-1, 4-1 SEC) vs. Georgia (6-1, 3-1 SEC)
Jacksonville, Fla. • TIAA Bank Field (82,871)
3:30 p.m. ET • CBS
Series: UGA leads, 51-43-2
Last: UGA, 36-17 (2018 at Jacksonville)
Sirius: 98/81 • XM: 191/81
Line: Georgia -6 ½
Score Prediction: Georgia 27 Florida 26

Mississippi State (3-5, 1-4 SEC ) at Arkansas (2-6, 0-5 SEC)
Fayetteville, Ark. • Reynolds Razorback Stadium (76,000)
4 p.m. ET • SEC Network
Series: ARK leads, 16-12-1
Last: MSU, 52-6 (2018 at Starkville)
Sirius: 134/105 • XM: 192/190
Line: Miss State -7 ½
Score Prediction: Miss State 20 Arkansas 16

Ole Miss (3-5, 2-3 SEC) at Auburn (6-2, 3-2 SEC)
Auburn, Ala. • Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451)
7 p.m. ET • ESPN
Series: AU leads, 32-10
Last: AU, 31-16 (2018 at Oxford)
Sirius: 134/81 • XM: 192/81
Line: Auburn -19
Score Prediction: Auburn 38 Ole Miss 17

UAB (6-1) at Tennessee (3-5, 2-3 SEC)
Knoxville, Tenn. • Neyland Stadium (102,455)
7 p.m. ET • ESPNU
Series: UT leads, 4-0
Sirius: 98 • XM: 191
Line: Tennessee -12
Score Prediction: Tennessee 31 UAB 17

Vanderbilt (2-5, 1-3 SEC) at South Carolina (3-5, 2-4 SEC)
Columbia, S.C. • Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250)
7:30 p.m. ET • SEC Network
Series: SC leads, 24-4
Last: SC, 37-14 (2018 at Nashville)
Sirius: 105 • XM: 190
Line: South Carolina -15
Score Prediction: South Carolina 30 Vanderbilt 14

Open: Alabama (8-0, 5-0 SEC); Kentucky (4-4, 2-4 SEC); LSU (8-0, 4-0 SEC); Missouri (5-3, 2-2 SEC)

Find more of my broadcasting work at VinceSports.net

Brandi Carlile’s 6 Shows at the Ryman Are Sold Out, But You Can Still Win Tickets, Airfare, Hotel & More

Brandi Carlile’s 6 Shows at the Ryman Are Sold Out, But You Can Still Win Tickets, Airfare, Hotel & More

Posted on November 1, 2019

Brandi Carlile’s upcoming six shows at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Jan. 14, 15, 16, 19, 20 and 21 are sold out, but you can still win tickets, airfare, hotel, dinner and more through the Ryman Flyway Sweepstakes.

The winner of the Ryman Flyway Sweepstakes will receive a prize package that includes:

  • 2 Round Trip Tickets to Nashville, TN
  • 1 Double Occupancy Room / 2 Nights
  • 2 tickets to a Brandi Carlile performance (Dates to choose: Jan 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21)
  • Dinner for 2 at Cafe Lula
  • $100 Ryman Merchandise
  • $250 Gift Card
  • Round trip car service in a Nissan to the Ryman Concert
  • Nissan Gift

To enter the Ryman Flyway Sweepstakes, fill out the Entry Form by 11:59 p.m. ET on Nov. 17. The winner will be randomly drawn from among all eligible entries. Maximum of one entry per person per day. Official rules are listed here.

Good luck!

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Craig Morgan Talks Inspirational Late Son, No. 1 Single “The Father, My Son & the Holy Ghost,” Upcoming Album, Veterans & More

Craig Morgan Talks Inspirational Late Son, No. 1 Single “The Father, My Son & the Holy Ghost,” Upcoming Album, Veterans & More

Posted on November 1, 2019

Jim Casey talks with Craig Morgan about:

  • his family business, The Gallery at Morgan Farms, in Dickson, Tenn.
  • the passing of his 19-year-old son, Jerry Greer, in 2016
  • the therapeutic nature of woodworking
  • writing his new single, “The Father, My Son and the Holy Ghost,” in honor of Jerry
  • the impact the song has had on people around the world
  • the song reaching No. 1 on the all-genre iTunes chart after a social media push by Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, Ellen and more
  • the physical and emotional toll of performing the song live
  • his upcoming album
  • reuniting with his old label, Broken Bow
  • touring in November
  • plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas
  • his message for his brothers and sisters serving in the military

Podcast participants:

    • Craig Morgan
    • Jim Casey, Nash Country Daily editor in chief

Listen to Clint Black’s New Single, “This Old House,” Feat. Dierks Bentley, Travis Tritt, Darius Rucker & More

Listen to Clint Black’s New Single, “This Old House,” Feat. Dierks Bentley, Travis Tritt, Darius Rucker & More

Posted on November 1, 2019

For his new single, “This Old House,” Clint Black enlisted the vocal talents of eight of his friends: Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley, Cody Jinks, Sara Evans, Michael Ray, Darius Rucker, Travis Tritt and Steve Wariner.

The new tune, which pays homage to the Grand Ole Opry, is the lead single to Clint’s upcoming album, Still Killin’ Time, which drops on Nov. 8.

Clint produced the video for “This Old House,” which features archival footage from the Grand Ole Opry and marks the first time the stage and backstage dressing room area have been featured in a music video.

“It’s such an honor to have these great artists agree to sing on this record and the willingness of the Opry to open its archives and its doors to me for the making of the video is more than I could’ve dreamed,” says Clint. “This has been one of the most exciting experiences in my entire career.”

A portion of the proceeds from “This Old House” will benefit the Opry Trust Fund, which supports members of the country music community in need.

Watch the video for “This Old House.”

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Football Preview: Tennessee vs. UAB

Football Preview: Tennessee vs. UAB

Posted on October 31, 2019
Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee will look to build off its momentum from a big conference win over South Carolina last week as the Vols welcome UAB to Neyland Stadium for Saturday’s Homecoming game.

This weekend’s contest is set to kick off at 7 p.m. and will wrap up UT’s 2019 non-conference slate. The Vols (3-5, 2-3 SEC) have won eight straight November non-conference games heading into Saturday’s matchup with the Blazers (6-1, 3-1 C-USA).

Broadcast Info
Saturday’s contest will be televised on ESPNU with Roy Philpott (PxP), Kelly Stouffer (analyst), and Lauren Sisler (sideline) on the call.

Fans can also listen to Tennessee’s official radio broadcast on the Vol Network (WIVK-FM 107.7) and satellite radio (Sirius Ch. 98, XM Ch. 191, Internet Ch. 962). Bob Kesling (PxP), Tim Priest (analyst) and Brent Hubbs (analyst) will call the action all season long.

Need to Know
96th Homecoming Game
Saturday’s contest will be the 96th Homecoming game in Tennessee football history. The Vols boast an all-time record of 73-19-3 on Homecoming and enter Saturday’s matchup with five straight victories in Homecoming games. Saturday will mark the 103rd Homecoming celebration on Tennessee’s campus. UT’s first Homecoming took place Nov. 11, 1916.

Career Day for Jennings
Redshirt senior wide receiver Jauan Jennings is having the best season of his UT career. The Murfreesboro, Tenn., native leads the team with 42 receptions for 652 yards and seven touchdowns. Among SEC players, Jennings ranks fifth in receiving yards, sixth in touchdown receptions and seventh in receptions. He had a career day during Tennessee’s win over South Carolina last week, registering a career-high 174 receiving yards on a career-high-tying seven catches while also adding a pair of touchdown receptions. Jennings was named the SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts.

His 174 yards receiving were the most by a Tennessee player since Cordarrelle Patterson had 219 against Troy on Nov. 3, 2012. It was the most in an SEC game since Denarius Moore had 228 at South Carolina on Oct. 30, 2010, and was tied for the 10th most receiving yards in program history against an SEC foe. Jennings became the first Tennessee player with more than 150 yards receiving and two touchdowns against an SEC opponent since Donté Stallworth had 169 yards and three touchdowns at Kentucky on Nov. 17, 2001.

Jennings currently ranks in the top 10 in program history in receptions (sixth), receiving yards (10th) and touchdown catches (eighth).

Vols Rack Up Weekly Honors
Tennessee had three players earn SEC Weekly honors for Week 9, led by Jauan Jennings and Daniel Bituli, who were named SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week and SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week, respectively. Brandon Kennedy was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week as well.

The Vols also had six players earn PFF College SEC Team of the Week honors: QB Jarrett Guarantano, Jennings, Bituli, LB Darrell Taylor, LB Kivon Bennett and DB Nigel Warrior. Jennings, Bituli and Taylor were also named to the PFF College National Team of the Week.

Bituli’s Big Day
Senior linebacker Daniel Bituli registered a season-high 15 tackles during Tennessee’s win over South Carolina, the third-highest single-game tackles total by any SEC player this season. Bituli also blocked a punt and then recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown against the Gamecocks, his second-career touchdown.

The Nashville native has led the Vols in tackles for two straight seasons, making him the 11th player in program history to lead the team in tackles in back-to-back years. Bituli could become just the second player in Tennessee history (A.J. Johnson, 2012-14) to lead the team in tackles for three straight seasons if he were to accomplish the feat again in 2019.

Callaway and Jennings Keeping It 100
The dynamic duo of Marquez Callaway and Jauan Jennings both had over 100 yards receiving in the same game for the second time this season in the Vols’ win over South Carolina. It marks the first time that the Vols have had two receivers both record 100-plus yards in a game twice during the same season since 2012 (vs. Troy and Missouri), when Jim Chaney was also the offensive coordinator.

In the win over the Gamecocks, Jennings hauled in seven passes for a career-high 174 yards and two touchdowns. Callaway caught three passes for 102 yards and a touchdown. Against No. 3 Georgia on Oct. 5, Callaway had three catches for 105 yards and a touchdown while Jennings had 114 yards and a score on seven catches. Jennings now has five career games of 100 or more yards while Callaway has three.

To the Checkerboards
Tennessee’s punt return unit has been the best in the nation this season, recording three touchdown returns and two blocked punts. The Big Orange scored two touchdowns off punt returns in their win over South Carolina last weekend.

UT’s 23 yards per punt return ranks second nationally and leads all Power 5 schools. The Vols two blocked punts for touchdowns marks the first time they have accomplished that feat in a season in at least 50 years. Marquez Callaway leads the country in punt returns with a 21.8 average and scored his third-career punt return touchdown in the win over the Gamecocks.

Series History: UAB
Vols lead series, 4-0
Tennessee has defeated UAB in all four previous meetings, however, two of those games were decided by just one score. The Vols needed double overtime to beat the Blazers in the last matchup between the two teams, as they escaped with a 32-29 victory at Neyland Stadium back in 2010.

UT has hosted UAB three times since 2005, the most of any non-conference opponent in that span. The first-ever meeting between the Vols and Blazers came on Homecoming during Tennessee’s 1998 National Championship season as the Orange and White came out on top, 37-13.

About UAB
The Blazers are coached by Bill Clark, who is in his fourth year with the program. The Blazers are 31-15 since Clark took over the program and won their first-ever conference championship and bowl game last season. Making those feats even more impressive is the fact that UAB shut down its football program following the 2014 season and did not play again until 2017. The Blazers own a 25-9 record since returning to action in 2017 and are 17-4 over the past two seasons.

UAB is led by a dominant defense that ranks fifth in the FBS in total defense, allowing just 248.6 yards per game on average. The Blazers also rank in the top 15 nationally in passing defense (seventh), rushing defense (eighth) and scoring defense (11th).

Junior linebacker Kristopher Moll is the leader of the defense with a team-high 54 tackles, nine tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. Moll also has 4.5 sacks, a pass breakup, a fumble recovery and six quarterback hurries on the year. Fellow linebacker Jordan Smith is tied with Moll for the team lead in TFLs with nine and also leads the Blazers with 5.5 sacks.

Quarterback Tyler Johnston III leads an offense that averages 251.9 yards per game through the air. The redshirt sophomore signal caller has thrown for 1,763 yards and 15 touchdowns so far this season but has also thrown 10 interceptions. Johnston III has a talented group of receivers to throw to in Austin Watkins Jr., Kendall Parham and Myron Mitchell. The trio has combined for 74 catches, 1,512 receiving yards, 14 touchdown catches and 85.8 percent of the team’s receiving yards this season. Watkins Jr. was added to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List on Oct. 23 and is coming off back-to-back 100-yard receiving games.

The Blazers feature a running back by committee approach with four players entering Saturday’s contest with 200 or more rushing yards. Spencer Brown leads the group with 262 yards while Lucious Stanley paces the group with five touchdowns.

 

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