After Kenny Chesney’s 2018 Trip Around the Sun Tour hit more than a dozen major stadiums and more than 20 amphitheaters, the Tennessee native is scaling back his 2019 tour, which he has dubbed the Songs for the Saints 2019 Tour.
“I wanted to change it up,” says Kenny. “Last year was so intense, and amazing. No Shoes Nation took it to a whole other level, and they blew all of us away. It was the kind of energy you don’t take for granted. So when we started thinking about next year, they made me wanna come to them. Rather than the massive two-day set-up, make everyone come to a stadium away from their homes, I wanted to go to where the fans live . . . strip things back a bit, and make it a little more intimate.”
The 18-date tour will make stops in Louisville, Washington, D.C., Atlantic City and more.
“This is the kind of thing you do for passion,” Kenny says. “To rein things in a bit, change up the way we present the music, I know these songs will show us things they don’t when we’re in those massive stadiums. I never worry about the energy or the passion, but I think the songs are different depending on where you play them. So I’m fired up for 2019.”
Songs for the Saints 2019 Tour
April 4 | Louisville, KY | KFC Yum! Center
April 5 | Champaign, IL | State Farm Center
April 6 | Grand Rapids, MI | Van Andel Arena
April 12 | Greensboro, NC | Greensboro Coliseum
April 13 | Jacksonville, FL | Daily’s Place
April 18 | Washington, DC | The Anthem
April 25 | Charleston, SC | Volvo Car Stadium
April 26 | Tallahassee, FL | Donald L Tucker Civic Center
April 27 | Orange Beach, AL | The Wharf
May 2 | Columbia, MO | Mizzou Arena
May 3 | Wichita, KS | INTRUST Bank Arena
May 4 | Oklahoma City, OK | Chesapeake Energy Arena
May 9 | Albany, NY Times | Union Arena
May 10 | Wilkes-Barre, PA | Mohegan Sun Arena
May 11 | Atlantic City, NJ | Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena
May 16 | Des Moines, IA | Wells Fargo Arena
May 17 | Sioux Falls, SD | Denny Sanford Premier Center
May 18 | Lincoln, NE | Pinnacle Bank Arena
May 24 | Tuscaloosa, AL | Tuscaloosa Amphitheater
Roy Clark died on Nov. 15 at the age of 85 due to complications from pneumonia at his home in Tulsa, Okla. If anyone in the country realm could be termed “multimedia star,” the amiable singer/guitarist fit that bill. He won the CMA Entertainer of the Year honor in 1973, copped Grammy awards for his instrumental prowess and co-hosted the long-running Hee Haw variety show from 1969 to 1992. Roy became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1987. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009.
Many country stars shared their remembrances of Roy on social media, and we’ve included some of them below.
My first CMA memory is sitting on my living room floor watching Roy Clark tear it up. Sending my love and respect to him and his family for all he did. – KU
Roy Clark shaped my path. My Papaw introduced me to his music as a toddler. Every Saturday we’d watch Hee Haw. My first guitar book was a Roy Clark guitar method. I practiced his style, then practiced making his facial expressions. He was a hero. And so many have the same story.
Right before this moment I was standing by Roy in the dark. I put my arm around him & told him I loved him. We both teared up. Then the lights came on & we delivered that iconic Hee Haw opening line at the CMA 50th. We will miss you so much Roy. pic.twitter.com/zKMOdMehcg
My story is not unique. How many guitar players started with a Roy Clark guitar method book? How many guitars were sold to people wanting to play because of him? How many lives were made better because of his wit and joy? I’m one of so many. pic.twitter.com/jxE20oEW0S
When the Nashville floods wiped out most of my guitars, Roy heard about it & showed up at a show and gave me one of his. This is who this man was. Constantly giving. I owe him so much. Go say hi to my Papaw for me Roy. You left the world a much better place. #royclarkpic.twitter.com/Aus1110BsU
Very sad to hear about the passing of a fellow Okie and country music artist Roy Clark. Roy was one of the first country artist I ever saw on TV. Prayers for his family.
Roy Clark sure inspired me more than once with his quick wit, immense musical skills and ever smiling persona! Time for some #Heehaw on repeat. He will be missed by many. #RIPRoyClarkhttps://t.co/aagHvnsf36
Roy Clark was one of the true nice guys in our business. I am blessed that he was part of my life. I grew up watching him on Hee Haw and was then invited to join the @opry by him in 2007. #fullcircle He will surely be missed.✝️🎶🙏🏼
Roy Clark is gone and the world of music has lost a treasure. I remember watching episodes of Hee Haw with my grandparents as a kid and thinking how talented he was. That feeling only grew as I did… he will be greatly missed
#RipRoyClark We lost a pioneer and a talent unmeasured today. I never missed a HeeHaw episode as a kid! U will be missed and ur legacy will live forever! pic.twitter.com/JIQY8VeeBW
“Today many of us have heard about the passing of Roy Clark, realizing another of the patriarchs of country music has gone on. Roy Clark brought laughter as well as his music to the true sense of entertainment. He will truly be missed.”
-Marty Raybon/Shenandoah pic.twitter.com/TesGDRrgu4
I was saddened to hear the news that Roy Clark has passed away. His guitar and banjo picking was such an inspiration to me. #RIPRoyClarkhttps://t.co/fP0a4vAfvb
Roy Clark what can I say one of the greatest guitar players greatest entertainers one of the funniest actors in the world I remember growing up watching him on hee haw he influenced no telling how many entertainers!!! Love u Roy u will be missed!!!
Just got word that Roy Clark has passed.
I’ve known him for 60 years and he was a fine musician and entertainer
Rest In Peace Buddy, you will be remembered
Roy Clark was an amazing musician and entertainer. He made pickin’ look fun to all of us young kids. I loved Roy Clark and he loved me. I’ll really miss him but he will not miss me where he’s at. There’s no missing in Heaven.
– Ricky Skaggs pic.twitter.com/ao4Rz481w3
DALLAS – Tennessee senior defensive end Kyle Phillips was named a semifinalist for the second annual Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award on Thursday. Phillips is among 20 of the nation’s top leaders in college football.
Compiled by a subset of the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Selection Committee, the semifinalists have all demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field.
Three finalists will be named for the award on Monday, December 10. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony on February 12, 2018, at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
A semifinalist for the 2018 Campbell Trophy and a 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominee, Phillips has been outstanding on and off the field during his four-year career with Vols.
He is a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and is a three-time Vol Scholar. Phillips completed his undergraduate degree requirements a year early and is pursuing a master’s degree in sport management. He was inducted into the Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) National Leadership Honor Society and named to the 2017 SEC Community Service Team. He was also inducted into the 2016-17 VOLeaders Academy Class that took and part in a 13-day study-abroad trip to Vietnam.
Phillips has started all 10 games in 2018 and has totaled 43 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and four passes defended. Against No. 21 Auburn, Phillips had a career-best nine tackles and forced a fumble that led to a touchdown. He was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week following his performance. He also had a 27-yard pick-six versus No. 1 Alabama.
Overall, Phillips has played in 39 games with 18 starts and totaled 101 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and six sacks.
The Vols will look to earn their third straight win and become bowl eligible this Saturday when they host Missouri for the final game at Neyland Stadium this season. Tickets for the game are still available on AllVols.com or by calling the Tennessee Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-332-VOLS or 865-656-1200.
Last year, the inaugural Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year was presented to Shaquem Griffin of UCF, who helped lead the Knights to a perfect season while becoming one of the most inspirational stories in all of sports. Griffin was presented with the award at a ceremony last February.
The award, presented by Albertsons and Tom Thumb, is the first college football honor to focus primarily on a player’s leadership, both on and off the field. Leadership is a term synonymous with Jason Witten, who, in addition to becoming one of the best tight ends in the history of the sport and the Cowboys’ all-time leading receiver, served as one of football’s most prominent role models during his 15-year pro career. In addition to winning the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2012, Witten also received the Bart Starr Award, Pro Football Weekly’s Humanitarian of the Year Award, Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP and the Bob Lilly Award, among many others. All of those honors have recognized his work in the community, achievements on the field and dedication to his teammates and family.
Witten had a standout three-year career (2000-02) playing tight end at Tennessee, earning All-America honors from The Sporting News and Sports Illustrated in 2002. Witten also earned consensus first-team All-SEC recognition in 2002 after establishing a then single-season school-record for catches (39) and receiving yards (493) by a tight end. Witten still ranks fifth all-time at UT in career receptions (68) and receiving yards (797) by a tight end and helped lead the Vols to an appearance in the 2001 SEC Championship game as well as a 45-17 victory over Michigan in the Florida Citrus Bowl to cap off the season. One of the top highlights of his collegiate career was catching the game-winning 25-yard touchdown in the Vols’ 41-38 six-overtime victory over Arkansas in 2002.
“I am honored to announce this impressive group as the semifinalists for the second annual Collegiate Man of the Year,” said Witten. “All of these student-athletes are shining examples of what makes college athletics so great. These 20 men have demonstrated exceptional character and leadership, often while overcoming large challenges. They are great representatives for the game of football, and I commend all nominees for getting to this point.”
The winner of the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year will also receive a $10,000 contribution in his name to his school’s athletic scholarship fund. The contribution will be made by Jason Witten’s SCORE Foundation, the official charity of Jason and his wife Michelle. The SCORE Foundation, founded in 2007, has positively impacted tens of thousands of children and families in Texas and Tennessee over the last 10 years. The foundation operates its nationally-recognized SCOREkeepers program, which places trained male mentors on staff to work with children at family violence shelters, at nine shelters in the two states. SCORE has also operated a weekend food backpack program for disadvantaged children in North Texas, opened Jason Witten Learning Centers in five different Boys & Girls Clubs and opened the Jason and Michelle Witten Emergency Waiting Room at the Niswonger Children’s Hospital in Johnson City, Tenn.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Ryan Johnson and senior defensive end Kyle Phillips were both named to the 2018 Google Cloud Academic All-District® Football Team, selected by CoSIDA, which recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom.
Johnson, a Brentwood, Tenn. native is the starting center for the Vols and is perusing a degree in Civil Engineering. Johnson is classified as a senior with a current GPA of 3.88. He is a second-year starter on the offense who is expected to graduate a year early in December. He is just one of two Vols to start every game on the offensive line this season at guard (1) and center (9). He has been key in leading a dramatic improvement on the offense this season. He is a member of the 2017 SEC Academic Honor Roll, a four-time Dean’s List member and speaks to elementary schools in the area.
Phillips is a Nashville native and a starting defensive end for the Vols. He earned his degree a year early in Recreation & Sport Management and is now perusing a master’s degree in sport management. Phillips has recorded 43 tackles (20 solo & 23 assists) with 5.5 tackles for a loss of 38 yards, three sacks, an interception return for a touchdown, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and four passes defended. He is a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, a member of the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, a three-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll, an AFCA Good Works Team nominee and has been named to the Dean’s List four times.
Johnson and Phillips mark the 27th and 28th Academic All-District or Academic All-Americans presented by CoSIDA in UT history. The Vols now have six academic All-District honorees in the last three years as the pair joins Parker Henry (2016, 2017), Todd Kelly, Jr. (2016) and Dylan Wiesman (2016) as recent winners.
First-team Academic All-District® honorees advance to the Google Cloud Academic All-America® ballot. First-and-second team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced in early December.
For more information about CoSIDA’s Google Cloud Academic All-District® and Academic All-America® Teams program, visit AcademicAllAmerica.com or the Academic All-America® homepage on CoSIDA.com.
More than 35 artists took the stage to perform at the CMA Awards on Nov. 14, including Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean with Miranda Lambert, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley with Brothers Osborne, Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line with Bebe Rexha, Midland, Kacey Musgraves, Eric Church, Old Dominion, Brad Paisley, Pistol Annies, Thomas Rhett, Ricky Skaggs, Chris Stapleton with Maren Morris and Mavis Staples, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and Brett Young, as well as special appearances by Lindsay Ell, Sierra Hull, Chris Janson, Ashley McBryde, Jon Pardi, Carson Peters, Marty Stuart, and Cole Swindell.
Roy Clark died Nov. 15 at the age of 85 due to complications from pneumonia at his home in Tulsa, Okla.
If anyone in the country realm could be termed “multimedia star,” the amiable singer/guitarist fit that bill. He won the CMA Entertainer of the Year honor in 1973, copped Grammy awards for his instrumental prowess, co-hosted the long-running Hee Haw variety show from 1969 to 1992 and broke international barriers as the first American performer in any genre to play for an audience in Russia. For his numerous musical contributions, Roy was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009. He became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1987.
Roy was one of the world’s finest multi-instrumentalists, and one of the first cross-over artists to land singles on both the pop and country charts. And his talents turned Hee Haw into the longest-running syndicated show in television history.
photo by Benkey / AFF-USA.com
Roy enjoyed his biggest chart hits, including the chart-topping “Come Live With Me,” just as Hee Haw was catching fire with the viewing public. Roy had 23 Top 40 country hits, among them eight Top 10s. Prior to Hee Haw, he had been known primarily as an outstanding musician who could also do comedy, evidenced by his frequent guest appearances on The Beverly Hillbillies. Hee Haw helped establish Roy as a recording star and multi-faceted entertainer.
But the bottom line for Roy Clark was the honest warmth he gave to his audiences. Bob Hope summed it up when he told Roy, “Your face is like a fireplace.”
Roy is survived by Barbara, his wife of 61 years, his sons Roy Clark II and wife Karen, Dr. Michael Meyer and wife Robin, Terry Lee Meyer, Susan Mosier and Diane Stewart, and his grandchildren: Brittany Meyer, Michael Meyer, Caleb Clark, Josiah Clark and his sister, Susan Coryell. Roy was preceded in death by his beloved grandson Elijah Clark who passed at the age of 14 on Sept. 24, 2018.
A memorial celebration will be held in the coming days in Tulsa, Okla., details forthcoming.
With the whiskey-soaked voice of a bearded angel, Chris Stapleton burst onto the mainstream scene at the 2015 CMA Awards when he won Album, Male Vocalist and New Artist of the Year. The honeymoon ain’t over. In 2016, Chris won Male Vocalist and Music Video of the Year. In 2017, he scored wins for Album and Male Vocalist of the Year. This year, Chris won Song, Single and Male Vocalist of the Year. The dude is the darling of the CMAs.
photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com
2. Losers: Florida Georgia Line
BK and T-Hubb failed to win Vocal Duo of the Year for the third consecutive year as Brothers Osborne continued their reign. Okay, that’s nothing to cry over, but the fact that the biggest song of the year—”Meant to Be” (50 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart)—failed to win Musical Event of the Year, Single of the Year or Song of the Year (wasn’t nominated) is a real slap in the face.
photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com
3. Winner: Keith Urban
In 2016, Keith was nominated for Entertainer, Album, Male Vocalist and Musical Event of the Year. He won nothing. In 2017, Keith was nominated four times for Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Single and Music Video of the Year. He managed to win Single of the Year for “Blue Ain’t Your Color.” One win in the past eight nominations ain’t great, but you can forget that now as Keith took home the biggest prize of the night: Entertainer of the Year. That’s a huge win.
photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com
4. Losers: Dan + Shay
As Brothers Osborne admitted in their acceptance speech for Vocal Duo of the Year, they thought Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney of Dan + Shay would be accepting the award. Again, this is a defeat Dan + Shay can live with, but “Tequila” went 0 for 3 for Song, Single and Music Video of the Year. Song of the Year (awarded to songwriters) seemed deserving for Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds and Dan Smyers, but it was not meant to be.
photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com
5. Winner: Kacey Musgraves
Kacey’s Golden Hour felt like a dark horse for Album of the Year, but she became one of the few artists to best Chris Stapleton in any CMA Awards category, not to mention topping Thomas Rhett, Dierks Bentley, and Keith Urban. Let’s hear it for Kacey.
photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com
6. Loser: Dierks Bentley
Dierks went 0 for 3 for Album, Male Vocalist and Musical Event of the Year. Over his career, Dierks has been nominated for 24 CMA Awards, with only three wins. He has been nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year seven times . . . with 0 wins. What does Dierks have to do to get some CMA hardware? Growing a longer beard a la Stapleton may be the answer.
photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com
7. Winners: Brothers Osborne, Kenny Chesney, David Lee Murphy, Luke Combs, Old Dominion, Thomas Rhett and Carrie Underwood
They each ended the night with one win, and that makes them Winners.
photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com
8. Losers: Female Artists
Yeah, Kacey scored a huge win with Album of the Year, and they had to give Female Vocalist of the Year to a female, but that was it for female artists. The ladies got shut out for Entertainer of the Year (no nominations), Musical Event of the Year (Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert and Bebe Rexha), Music Video of the Year (Sugarland, Carrie Underwood and Randee St. Nichilos), Song of the Year (Nicolle Galyon), Single of the Year (Miranda Lambert and Bebe Rexha), New Artist of the Year (Lauren Alaina), Vocal Group of the Year (Lady Antebellum and Little Big Town) and Vocal Duo of the Year (Maddie & Tae and Sugarland).
Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes announced Thursday that 6-7 wing Davonte Gaines (pronounced: duh-VON-tay) has signed and submitted a National Letter of Intent and plans to enroll at UT as a freshman in the summer of 2019.
Gaines had been verbally committed to the Vols since July of 2017.
After graduating from Health Sciences Charter School in his hometown of Buffalo, New York, in 2018, Gaines is spending a year at Hargrave Military Academy Prep in Chatham, Virginia. Gaines was coached by Ty Parker at Health Sciences, and he now plays for head coach Lee Martin at Hargrave.
According to 247Sports.com, Gaines was rated as the No. 5 overall prospect in his class in the state of New York before transitioning to Hargrave. He is a two-time New York State Sportswriters Association Class B All-State first-team selection (2017 and 2018).
“Davonte has a tremendous future ahead of him,” Barnes said. “We’re all excited about the opportunity to work with him, because he has so much potential. What makes him special as a player is his versatility. He has excellent size and length and is an excellent passer and playmaker, which will improve our overall skill on the perimeter. Of course, he also has the ability to score. This season at Hargrave Military Academy will help him immensely.”
Nicknamed “The Ticket,” Gaines logged a triple-double in the first game of his senior season and followed that up with a rare quadruple-double in a victory over Cleveland Hill, during which he totaled 20 points, 13 steals, 11 assists and 10 rebounds.
As a junior, Gaines earned second-team Buffalo News All-Western New York honors after propelling the Falcons to their first-ever Section VI Class B championship and the semifinals of the state tournament. He finished the year with averages of 17.7 points, 12.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 4.0 blocks and 3.0 steals per game.
One of his many highlight reel slams during that 2016-17 junior campaign—specifically, a second-quarter transition jam against Lackawanna—was voted “Best Dunk” at the Sixth Annual Buffalo News Boys Basketball Awards in April of 2017.
Gaines averaged 15.4 points per game as a sophomore in 2015-16. He played his AAU ball with Parker’s New Heights program, based out of New York, as well as the Corey Graham Elite program.
Several New York natives have enjoyed successful collegiate careers at Tennessee, including Hall of Famer Bernard King, current Washington Wizards President/General Manager Ernie Grunfeld, All-American center Howard Wood and current Los Angeles Clippers forward Tobias Harris.
Like Gaines, Tennessee associate head coach Rob Lanier and assistant coach Desmond Oliver both are Buffalo natives.
Tennessee head football coach Jeremy Pruitt held his Wednesday press conference ahead of the Missouri game. Note, UT did not have microphones available for questions, so those are very difficult to hear. There’s nothing we could do about that, but we do apologize.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Coming off a marquee win over No. 11 Kentucky last Saturday, Tennessee will look to win its third straight and become bowl eligible this Saturday as Missouri visits Neyland Stadium.
Kickoff for UT’s final home game of 2018 is set for 3:30 p.m. on CBS. Brad Nessler (play-by-play) and Gary Danielson (analyst) will have the call with Jamie Erdahl reporting from the sidelines. Vol Network radio affiliates will have a live audio broadcast with Bob Kesling, Tim Priest and Brent Hubbs. Sirius (Channel 94) and XM satellite radio (Channel 192) will also carry the game.
Saturday will also be Senior Day for the Vols as they will honor their 13 seniors prior to kickoff.
Need to Know
Sack King
Tennessee outside linebacker Darrell Taylor had four sacks against No. 11 Kentucky last Saturday, recording just the third four-sack game in Tennessee football history. Taylor joined Reggie White (1983 vs. Citadel) and Corey Miller (2013 at Kentucky) as the only Vols with four sacks in a game.
The redshirt junior’s four sacks are tied for the most by a player in a game in the FBS this season. Taylor also joined Derek Barnett (2014) and Leonard Little (1996) as the only players in Tennessee history with multiple games of at least three sacks in the same season. Last Saturday’s performance was Taylor’s second multiple-sack game of the year after posting three on Sept. 29 at No. 2 Georgia. Taylor was named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week, the Bednarik National Player of the Week and the SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts.
Defense Emerging Under Pruitt
Tennessee’s defense has shown significant improvement this season under first-year head coach Jeremy Pruitt. The Vols are on pace to better their defensive statistics in nearly every major category this season. The Big Orange have held three opponents without a touchdown this year (ETSU, UTEP, Charlotte), marking the first time since 2008 that the Vols have accomplished that feat. Tennessee has also scored three defensive touchdowns this season, which is tied for 10th in the nation. UT held No. 11 Kentucky to just seven points – it’s fewest this season – and 77 rushing yards in last week’s upset win. Pruitt was named the Dodd Trophy National Coach of the Week on Tuesday.
Upset Alert!
UT’s 24-7 upset victory over No. 11 Kentucky last Saturday marked the program’s second win over a ranked opponent this season. The Vols are one of just eight teams in college football this year that have won two or more games against ranked opponents while being unranked.
Pinpoint Accuracy
Tennessee starting quarterback Jarrett Guarantano has been one of the team’s most consistent performers this season, and his accuracy throwing the football has played a major part in his success. Guarantano ranks fourth among SEC starting quarterbacks in passing efficiency (149.2) and fourth in the conference in completion percentage (65.1%). The New Jersey native has also been extremely proficient at protecting the football, having thrown 146 consecutive passes without an interception, which is a program record. Guarantano has set career highs this season in completions (140), passing yards (1,768) and passing touchdowns (11), while throwing just two interceptions.
Series History: Missouri
The Vols and Tigers are set to meet for just the seventh time when they square off on Saturday afternoon. Missouri holds a 4-2 lead in the series after winning the first three contests as well as last year’s meeting. UT and Mizzou had never played before the Tigers joined the SEC in 2012.
Despite playing each other only six times, there have been some memorable games in the series. The very first game played between the two programs went to four overtimes with Missouri coming away with a 51-48 victory in Knoxville back in 2012. The last time the two teams played in Neyland Stadium, in 2016, they combined for 100 points and 1,349 yards of total offense as the Vols came out on top, 63-37, behind 413 total yards and five touchdowns from quarterback Joshua Dobbs.
About Missouri
Missouri enters Saturday’s contest on a two-game winning streak after victories over Florida and Vanderbilt and has won seven consecutive games in the month of November dating back to the 2016 season. The Tigers, led by third-year head coach Barry Odom, are 6-4 overall and 2-4 in SEC play this year.
Mizzou is led by a balanced and potent offensive attack that is averaging 35.5 points per game. Led by senior quarterback Drew Lock and the dynamic duo of Damarea Crockett and Larry Rountree III at running back, the Tigers can beat you through the air or on the ground. Missouri ranks third in the SEC and 17th nationally in total offense (473.4 ypg), third in the league and 25th nationally in passing offense (277.5 ypg) and fourth in the conference and 44th nationally in rushing offense (195.9 ypg).
Defensively, the Tigers are paced by the linebacker duo of Cale Garrett and Terez Hall. Garrett leads the team with 64 tackles to go along with 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack, while Hall ranks first on the team with four sacks and also has 7.5 tackles for loss to his credit. Redshirt sophomore Christian Holmes is the leader in the secondary with a team-best nine pass breakups and two interceptions.
