KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Despite 154 rushing yards from junior Ty Chandler and a career-high-tying two receiving touchdowns from senior Jauan Jennings, Tennessee fell, 29-26, in double-overtime to BYU Saturday at Neyland Stadium.
With less than a minute remaining in regulation, BYU drove 68 yards in five plays before Jake Oldroyd nailed the game-tying field goal with one second left on the clock.
In the first overtime, the teams traded touchdowns, with BYU scoring first and the Vols responding with a 13-yard strike from Jarrett Guarantano to Jennings to knot the score at 23-23.
In double-overtime, the Vols settled for a field goal following a three-and-out. On BYU’s drive, Ty’Son Williams pushed his way into the endzone to clinch the 29-26 victory for the Cougars.
The Vols fall to 0-2 and will host Chattanooga next Saturday for a noon ET kickoff on SEC Network.
Tennessee kicker Brent Cimaglia tied a career-high with four made field goals, upping his season total to seven made tries on seven attempts.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Vols held BYU less than 300 yards of total offense in regulation, while tallying four sacks and six tackles for loss on the night.
Junior LaTrell Bumphus, had a stand out performance with two sacks, while junior Theo Jackson led UT with nine total tackles.
The Vols got things started in the scoring department Saturday with a 15-play, 80-yard drive that ate 7:15 off the clock. The drive was capped off by a five-yard deflected pass from quarterback Jarrett Guarantano to Jennings on fourth down.
The drive was UT’s second scoring drive of 15 plays or more on the season.
BYU responded with a drive of its own into the red zone. The Cougars were forced to settle for a field goal, following an impressive stand that included a sack from freshman Greg Emerson.
Tennessee regained its seven-point advantage at 10-3, when Cimaglia nailed a 51-yard field goal, tying his career long.
Following a third punt in four drives for BYU, UT closed the first half with a second Cimaglia field goal – this time from 39 yards – to give the Orange and White a 13-3 lead at the break.
Out of the locker room, BYU forced an interception on Tennessee’s first drive of the half. On the ensuing possession, Williams took a carry on third down and scampered 16 yards to the end zone to cut the UT advantage to 13-10.
Following four consecutive punts between the teams, UT finished off a 14-play, 77-yard drive with Cimaglia’s third field goal of the contest to increase the Big Orange lead to 16-10.
The Cougars responded with a 10-plus play drive of their own to cut the UT lead back to three following Oldroyd’s second field goal of the evening.
On the ensuing possession, Tennessee was forced to punt with a minute remaining, setting up BYU’s game-tying drive.
Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt spoke to the media in the postgame after UT’s 2OT home loss to BYU, 29-26. Cumulus Broadcasting Knoxville’s sports staff was there to cover it. Here’s that full video below.
Vols HC Jeremy Pruitt / Credit: 99.1 The Sports Animal
Tennessee RB Ty Chandler spoke to the media in the postgame after UT’s 2OT home loss to BYU, 29-26. Cumulus Broadcasting Knoxville’s sports staff was there to cover it. Here’s that full video below.
Ty Chandler – Vols RB / Credit: 99.1 The Sports Animal
You can’t be ahead with the opponent backed up at its 20-yard line with less than 20 seconds to go and lose.
You can’t let a receiver get behind you.
Let him catch a 10-yard pass, a 20-yard pass, a 30-yard pass.
But not a 64-yarder.
Receiver Micah Simon streaked past Tennessee sophomore cornerback Alontae Taylor for a game-changing gain that put Brigham Young in position for a game-tying field goal with one second left.
In the second overtime, the Cougars crashed into the end zone with a convoy of blockers and pushers escorting Ty’Son Williams into the end zone from the 5-yard line to give BYU an improbable 29-26 victory before a stunned crowd at Neyland Stadium that included about 8,000 visiting fans.
“It’s a tough pill for everybody to swallow,’’ Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt said.
Tennessee lost its opener to Georgia State because of lack of effort.
Tennessee lost to BYU because of lack of discipline.
You can’t blame Taylor’s inexcusable error on youth.
Any college corner knows you have to keep the receiver in front of you.
Any high school corner knows you have to keep the receiver in front of you.
A middle schooler knows it.
Asked if Taylor was rattled when the game went into overtime, Pruitt almost erupted.
“He should’ve been rattled after I got on him,’’ Pruitt said post-game. “Just use a little common sense.’’
What defense was Tennessee in?
“The same one we called the previous play when they lost 12 yards,’’ Pruitt said. “We’re in deep thirds and the guy (Simon) gets 20 yards behind our guy.’’
UT didn’t actually cause BYU to lose 12 yards on its last possession, which started at its 16 with 1:01 left.
On the first play, BYU was called for holding and was pushed back to its 8. On the next play, quarterback Zach Wilson threw an incompletion. On the next play, Wilson scrambled for 12 yards to the 20.
Facing third-and-six and the clock running, Wilson hit a wide open Simon for a 64-yard gain to the UT 16 with seven seconds left.
After BYU spiked the ball, the Cougars kicked a gut-wrenching, game-tying 33-yard field goal.
BYU scored a touchdown in the first overtime but the Vols gamely matched that by converting a third-and-11 and then a third-and-10 TD pass to Jauan Jennings.
In the second overtime, UT could only manage a field goal.
BYU used two runs to the 5-yard line before pile driving it into the end zone for the game ender.
“They willed themselves into the end zone, in my opinion,’’ Pruitt said.
Tennessee failed to convert a critical fourth-and-1 at its 30 with just over four minutes left could have helped seal the deal.
UT failed on another fourth-and-1 toward the end of the first half that led to a field goal and a 13-3 halftime lead.
UT also missed on a fourth-and-1 in field-goal range early in the second quarter.
Those failures were costly.
“We’ve got to have the will power to get it in the end zone,’’ Chandler said.
The defeat usurped a nice bounce-back performance for the Vols from the 38-30 debacle against Georgia State the week before.
The Vols’ offensive line was much better as UT took advantage of off-tackle runs and sweeps to pile up 242 yards rushing – 154 by Ty Chandler and 77 by true freshman Eric Gray.
UT outrushed BYU by 135 yards, outgained BYU 418-339, held the ball for eight more minutes, ran 77 plays to 60, and never trailed until overtime.
Tennessee is 0-2 for the first time since 1988, when the Vols opened 0-6 before winning the last five games of the season.
These Vols are reeling and appear to lack confidence.
Can they bounce back from this?
“I’ve been through worse here,’’ senior offensive tackle Marcus Tatum said.
Did that refer to a coaching change? Or losing to South Carolina in 2016 with the East Division title on the line? Or losing to Vanderbilt in 2017 with a Sugar Bowl bid on the line?
What matters now is Tennessee must regroup in a hurry.
Tennessee C Brandon Kennedy, DE LaTrell Bumphus and OT Marcus Tatum spoke to the media in the postgame after UT’s 2OT home loss to BYU, 29-26. Cumulus Broadcasting Knoxville’s sports staff was there to cover it. Here’s that full video below.
(L to R) Marcus Tatum, Brandon Kennedy & LaTrell Bumphus / Credit: 99.1 The Sports Animal
Each season I predict SEC games 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.
Below are my predictions for Week 2 of the college football season. I’ve skipped analysis on the FCS opponents.
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 Game Prediction Record: 9-4 (100%)
SEC WEEK 2 SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, SEPT. 7 West Virginia (1-0) at Missouri (0-1, 0-0 SEC)
Columbia, Mo. • Faurot Field (71,168)
Noon ET • ESPN2
Series: Tied 3-3
Sirius: 78 • XM: 191
Line: Missouri -14
Vince’s View: Missouri racked-up a lot of yards through the air, but was sloppy with the football in key situations in the stunning loss at Wyoming. Maybe Mizzou should work on running the football effectively. West Virginia has so much new in its rebuild. I think the Tigers get an improved performance from Kelly Bryant in a win.
Score Prediction: Missouri 45 West Virginia 28
Charleston Southern (0-1) at South Carolina (0-1, 0-0 SEC)
Columbia, S.C. • Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250)
Noon ET • SEC Network
Series: First Meeting
Sirius: 135 • XM: 190
Line: NL
Vince’s View: none
Score Prediction: South Carolina 38 Charleston Southern 3
Vanderbilt (0-1, 0-0 SEC) at Purdue (0-1)
West Lafayette, Ind. • Ross-Ade Stadium (57,236)
Noon ET • Big Ten Network
Series: VU leads, 2-0
Sirius: 134 • XM: 384
Line: Purdue -7
Vince’s View: Vandy faced elite competition last week, so it’s hard to totally judge them on game one. The offensive trio of Vaughn, Pinkney and Lipscomb should get going this week against a leaky Boilermakers defense. My concerns are Vandy’s defense against the Purdue offense and the Commodores keeping up with the Boilers’ offense.
Score Prediction: Purdue 37 Vanderbilt 28
Southern Miss (1-0) at Mississippi State (1-0, 0-0 SEC)
Starkville, Miss. • Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field (61,337)
3:30 p.m. ET • ESPNU
Series: Tied 14-14-1
Sirius: 121 • XM: 192
Line: Miss State -17
Vince’s View: Tommy Stevens should be able to build off a solid Bulldogs debut. MSU needs to play better in a lot of other areas or else there will be real concerns about this team. Motivated in-state teams can be tricky.
Score Prediction: Mississippi State 35 Southern Miss 23
#12 Texas A&M (1-0, 0-0 SEC) at #1 Clemson (1-0)
Clemson, S.C. • Memorial Stadium (81,500)
3:30 p.m. ET • ABC
Series: AM leads, 3-2
Sirius: 105 • XM: 201
Line: Clemson -17 ½
Vince’s View: What a great gauge for where Texas A&M is under Jimbo Fisher. Kellon Mond will make some plays against a younger Clemson defense, but with some starters out on defense for the Aggies, I don’t see them making enough stops against all the Clemson weapons. Knoxville’s Amari Rodgers may return from injury in this one.
Score Prediction: Clemson 34 Texas A&M 24
New Mexico State (0-1) at #2 Alabama (1-0, 0-0 SEC)
Tuscaloosa, Ala. • Bryant-Denny Stadium (101,821)
4 p.m. ET • SEC Network
Series: First Meeting
Sirius: 135 • XM: 190
Line: Alabama -55
Vince’s View: You don’t see point spreads like this often. One of the FBS’ worst teams has to try and limit the destruction at one of the nation’s best offenses.
Score Prediction: Alabama 56 New Mexico St 0
Murray State (1-0) at #3 Georgia (1-0, 0-0 SEC)
Athens, Ga. • Sanford Stadium (92,746)
4 p.m. ET • ESPN2
Series: UG leads, 1-0
Sirius: 78 • XM: 191
Line: NL
Vince’s View: none
Score Prediction: Georgia 49 Murray State 3
BYU (0-1) at Tennessee (0-1, 0-0 SEC)
Knoxville, Tenn. • Neyland Stadium (102,455)
7 p.m. ET • ESPN
Series: First Meeting
Sirius: 121 • XM: 192
Line: Tennessee -3 ½
Vince’s View: I expect a better “effort” from Tennessee. Part of the effort look is that this team’s mentality is fragile and they lose even more confidence thus getting discouraged. That comes across as not trying. However you classify it, it’s a bad sign that’s no different than the end of last season despite an offseason of moves and talk of improvement. Besides all that, I think UT’s inability to stop to run and how bad they are at the line of scrimmage are huge problems. UT will see all the things it had issues with last week, like RPOs, short passing game, TEs creating extra gaps at the LOS, 8-man coverage against Guarantano, disguised blitzes, etc. I think TE Matt Bushman has a career day with no coverage answers for him. The Vols will have their moments, but until I see otherwise, this is more than effort and pride holding Tennessee back. If UT loses, it will be the first 0-2 start for UT since 1988. All hope for this season will be lost by many with a defeat here. Yikes.
Score Prediction: BYU 38 Tennessee 34
Tulane (1-0) at #16 Auburn (1-0, 0-0 SEC)
Auburn, Ala. • Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451)
7:30 p.m. CT • ESPN2
Series: TUL leads, 17-14-6
Sirius: 78 • XM: 191
Line: Auburn -18
Vince’s View: You could see Auburn have a little bit of a letdown after the impressive come-from-behind win vs. Oregon last week. Tulane recruiting has picked-up and that includes in East Tennessee thanks to VFL JJ McCleskey on the Green Wave staff. The Auburn d-line will be too tough to handle in the second half.
Score Prediction: Auburn 28 Tulane 10
UT Martin (1-0) at #11 Florida (1-0, 0-0 SEC)
Gainesville, Fla. • Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Steve-Spurrier Florida Field (88,548)
7:30 p.m. ET • ESPNU
Series: First Meeting
Sirius: 81 • XM:81
Line: NL
Vince’s View: none
Score Prediction: Florida 52 UT Martin 13
Eastern Michigan (1-0) at Kentucky (1-0, 0-0 SEC)
Lexington, Ky. • Kroger Field (61,000)
7:30 p.m. ET • SEC Network Alternate Channel
Series: UK leads, 1-0
Sirius: 98 • XM: 203
Line: Kentucky -14 ½
Vince’s View: Kentucky can probably survive another sloppy performance and win this game, but it won’t bode well for doing anything of note in conference play if it happens again.
Score Prediction: Kentucky 45 Eastern Michigan 27
#6 LSU (1-0, 0-0 SEC) at #9 Texas (1-0)
Austin, Texas • DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium (100,119)
7:30 p.m. CT • ABC
Series: TEX leads, 9-7-1
Sirius: 84 • XM: 84
Line: LSU -6
Vince’s View: LSU will put the nation on alert that it is a legit college football playoff contender with this road win over a very good Texas team. LSU’s deep offensive talent will be on display in this one. LSU has insane talent on defense as well. Texas isn’t quite there yet.
Score Prediction: LSU 31 Texas 17
Arkansas (1-0, 0-0 SEC) at Ole Miss (0-1, 0-0 SEC)
Oxford, Miss. • Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (64,038)
7:30 p.m. CT • SEC Network
Series: AR leads, 36-27-1
Last: UM, 37-33 (2018 in Fayetteville)
Sirius: 135 • XM: 190/384
Line: Ole Miss -6 ½
Vince’s View: Both fan bases, if realistic, have to view this one and say, ‘we better win this one while we have a shot.’ I think Ole Miss has a little better team, but it didn’t look like it last week. This one will either be as ugly as can be or as wild as can be.
Score Prediction: Ole Miss 17 Arkansas 14
Brantley Gilbert announced he will embark on his headlining Fire’t Up Tour in 2020.
The 30-plus-date tour kicks off on Jan. 23 in London, Ontario, making additional stops in Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Las Vegas and more. Chase Rice, Dylan Scott and Brandon Lay will serve as support on select dates.
The tour takes its name from a track on Brantley’s upcoming album, Fire & Brimstone, which drops on Oct. 4.
“I truly feel like we’re at the point that we can let the music take us where it is meant to go, so with every new album we like to change up our show and make it something that plays to those stories and characters,” says Brantley. “We’ll of course still do the hits our fans love, but we are looking at this as an opportunity to turn up the heat a bit and give the songs on Fire & Brimstone a chance to really rock.”
Ronnie Dunn will release a new country/rock cover album, Re-Dunn, in January 2020.
The 24-track album features popular tunes originally recorded by Bob Seger, Tom Petty, Van Morrison, Hank Williams, Eric Clapton, George Strait, Tom T. Hall, Eddy Arnold and more.
Ronnie released two tracks on Sept. 6: “Amarillo by Morning,” which was originally recorded by Terry Stafford in 1973 and made famous by George Strait in 1983, and “Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress),” which The Hollies recorded in 1972.
Ronnie will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame with Brooks & Dunn cohort Kix Brooks in October.
Listen to “Amarillo by Morning” and “Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress)” below.
Re-Dunn Track List
1.“Amarillo by Morning” — (originally recorded by Terry Stafford)
2. “Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)” — (originally recorded by The Hollies)
3. “That’s How I Got to Memphis” — (originally recorded by Tom T. Hall)
4. “It Never Rains In Southern California” — (originally recorded by Albert Hammond)
5. “How Long” — (originally recorded by Paul Carrack)
6. “Drinkin’ Thing” — (originally recorded by Gary Stewart)
7. “Together Again” — (originally recorded by Buck Owens)
8. “Peaceful Easy Feeling” — (originally recorded by the Eagles)
9. “Against The Wind” — (originally recorded by Bob Seger)
10. “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” — (originally recorded by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes)
11. “I Won’t Back Down” — (originally recorded by Tom Petty)
12. “Cowboy Rides Away” — (originally recorded by George Strait)
13. “Showdown” — (originally recorded by Electric Light Orchestra)
14. “Wonderful Tonight” — (originally recorded by Eric Clapton)
15. “Ashes By Now” — (originally recorded by Rodney Crowell)
16. “That’s The Way Love Goes” — (originally recorded by Johnny Rodriguez)
17. “I’m Not In Love” — (originally recorded by 10cc)
18. “Brown Eyed Girl” — (originally recorded by Van Morrison)
19. “You Don’t Know Me” — (originally recorded by Eddy Arnold)
20. “Ridin’ My Thumb To Mexico” — (originally recorded by Johnny Rodriguez)
21. “A Showman’s Life” — (originally recorded by Jesse Winchester)
22. “Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues” — (originally recorded by Danny O’Keefe)
23. “Amie” — (originally recorded by Pure Prairie League)
24. “I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still In Love With You)” — (originally recorded by Hank Williams)
Not all was bad in Tennessee’s embarrassing season opening loss to Georgia State.
Here are five encouraging signs for UT as the Vols try to bounce back against BYU this Saturday.
Jauan Jennings
You can question the intensity and effort of some Vols in the opener.
You can’t question Jennings.
Once dismissed from the UT team but reinstated by coach Jeremy Pruitt, Jennings was terrific in the opener, with seven catches for 108 yards and a touchdown. Many of those yards came after the catch as Jennings refused to go down easily.
The senior receiver blamed himself for not being a leader who got his teammates fired up to play. While he probably took too much responsibility for other players not giving their all for the Vols, make no mistake – Jennings and UT will play with great passion against BYU.
UT might not win, but it won’t be for lack of effort.
Eric Gray
The true freshman running back showed flashes of being a star in the making. He had 29 yards on seven rushes and 51 yards on six receptions. He has the ability to make people miss and he’s a good receiver out of the backfield. He played most of the second half after Ty Chandler had two fumbles in the first half against GSU and was benched.
Gray could evolve into an Alvin Kamara-type back who puts up big all-purpose yards.
Henry To’o To’o
He was the first true freshman linebacker to start an opener for Tennessee since 2011. He recorded seven tackles and was very active, but he still needs to learn the position. After the game, Pruitt said he should have played Henry T. more snaps.
He’s also a tough character. All you need to know is he played in his high school team’s state championship game in California one week after suffering a broken foot. And he had about seven tackles in the first half.
He is the type difference maker UT needs to turn the program around.
Dominick Wood-Anderson
The senior had three catches for 79 yards with a long of 54. He’s a gifted tight end who is adept at receiving and blocking, and he surely has an NFL future. Look for him to be a prime target most of this season and record over 40 catches.
Special Teams
Brent Cimaglia hit all three field-goal attempts, Joe Doyle’s lone punt went 47 yards and was not returned, and Marquez Callaway had a 35-yard punt return. Chandler added a 33-yard kickoff return.
That’s a good start for a special teams unit that might be asked to win a couple of close games this season.
Cimaglia, who was not allowed to attempt a kick of over 50 yards last year, nailed a 48-yarder with 10 yards to spare in the opener. He has a strong enough leg to try from outside 50 yards, if needed.
