Tennessee loses to South Carolina, 15-9; now 3-3, 0-3 in SEC

Tennessee loses to South Carolina, 15-9; now 3-3, 0-3 in SEC

Posted on October 14, 2017
Jarrett Guarantano – UT QB / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee grabbed an early lead over South Carolina, fell behind late and came up two yards short of a furious last-second rally, dropping a 15-9 decision Saturday afternoon in front of a crowd of 98,104 at Neyland Stadium.

Redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano, making his first start at quarterback, guided the Vols 73 yards in the final one minute, 13 seconds without a timeout.  He and his teammates came up just short of an incredible comeback, as UT (3-3/0-3 SEC) was unable to connect on three pass attempts from the two-yard line.

On that drive, Guarantano completed four of eight passes for 71 yards, firing three to Marquez Callaway for 34 yards and one to Brandon Johnson for 39. The rookie finished the game 11-of-18 for 133 yards with no interceptions.

The Vols grabbed a 6-0 lead after the first quarter and took a 9-3 lead into the intermission, thanks to the foot of freshman kicker Brent Cimaglia. The Gamecocks (5-2/3-2 SEC), however, outscored the Vols 12-0 in the second half to escape Rocky Top with the win.

After forcing the Gamecocks to a three-and-out on their opening series, the Vols responded with a 29-yard field goal from Cimaglia (starting in place of ailing senior Aaron Medley) to go on top, 3-0, with 10:26 to play in the first quarter. The seven-play, 46-yard drive was keyed by a determined 24-yard rush by Kelly on the third play and an 11-yard third-down scramble by Guarantano to move the ball to the South Carolina 11.

Cimaglia then pushed Tennessee’s lead to 6-0 with 1:36 remaining in the opening period, knocking a 33-yard field goal through the uprights. Guarantano directed a 14-play, 80-yard drive, getting help from another quarterback, Quinten Dormady, who had a 13-yard run in place of Guarantano, and reserve running back Ty Chandler, who had a 30-yard carry and an 11-yard reception during UT’s possession.

South Carolina got on the board in the second quarter, cutting the UT lead to 6-3 with 10:31 remaining. A 19-yard run by Ty’Son Williams was the longest effort in a six-play drive that put Parker White in position for his 47-yard field.

Defensive end Kyle Phillips ignited Tennessee’s third scoring opportunity, stuffing USC’s Williams on a fourth-and-one try with 5:14 to go in the second and setting the Vols up at their own 43.  Guarantano marched the Big Orange 51 yards in 11 plays, with Cimaglia adding his third field goal of the half, a 24-yarder, with 33 seconds to go. That kick sent the Vols into the intermission with a 9-3 lead.

The Gamecocks drew first blood in the second half, tying the game at 9-all with 1:02left in the third quarter. Running back A.J. Turner capped off a 12-play, 95-yard drive with a 20-yard dash to pay dirt. A bad snap on the PAT, however, prevented USC from taking the lead.

South Carolina had another opportunity to grab their first lead with 5:17 to go in the game, and this time the Gamecocks capitalized. A 16-play, 72-yard drive lasting 9:10 culminated in White booting his second field goal of the day, a 21-yarder, to make it 12-9, Gamecocks.

White added his third three-pointer and the final points of the afternoon with 1:13 left on the board, extending South Carolina’s advantage to 15-9.

The Vols, who don’t return to Neyland Stadium until a Nov. 4 contest vs. Southern Miss, head to Tuscaloosa next Saturday to take on Alabama in a 3:30 p.m. contest on CBS.

-UT Athletics

 

Keith Urban, Sam Hunt, Garth Brooks, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood & More Earn AMA Nominations

Keith Urban, Sam Hunt, Garth Brooks, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood & More Earn AMA Nominations

Posted on October 13, 2017

Nominees for the 45th annual American Music Awards were announced on Oct. 12.

Keith Urban leads all country artists with three nominations, while Sam Hunt picked up two. Garth Brooks was the only country artist to cop an all-genre nomination.

You can cast your AMA vote for your favorite artists here.

The 2017 American Music Awards will broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.

Check out the country nominees below.

TOUR OF THE YEAR (all-genre)

  • Garth Brooks
  • Coldplay
  • U2

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – COUNTRY

  • Sam Hunt
  • Thomas Rhett
  • Keith Urban

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – COUNTRY

  • Miranda Lambert
  • Maren Morris
  • Carrie Underwood

FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP – COUNTRY

  • Florida Georgia Line
  • Little Big Town
  • Old Dominion

FAVORITE ALBUM – COUNTRY

  • Jason Aldean, They Don’t Know
  • Chris Stapleton, From A Room: Vol. 1
  • Keith Urban, Ripcord

FAVORITE SONG – COUNTRY

  • Sam Hunt, “Body Like a Back Road”
  • Jon Pardi, “Dirt on My Boots”
  • Keith Urban, “Blue Ain’t Your Color”
13 Country Artists Who Have the Chutzpah to Perform on Friday the 13th

13 Country Artists Who Have the Chutzpah to Perform on Friday the 13th

Posted on October 13, 2017

Paraskevidekatriaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th, but we found 13 artists who are laughing in the face of the almost-unpronounceable word by performing today, Friday, Oct. 13.

Nashville will be hopping, as usual, with both Chris Stapleton and Jason Isbell headlining at Bridgestone Arena and Ryman Auditorium, respectively. In fact, D. Striker, a Nashville-based artist with a fun-loving cult-like following, only performs on Friday the 13th, and since the next Friday the 13th is in April 2018, catch him while you can.

Without further ado, here are 13 artists with the chutzpah to perform on Friday the 13th.

  1. Chris Stapleton with Brothers Osborne & Brent Cobb – Bridgestone Arena —Nashville
  2. Jason Aldean with Chris Young & Kane Brown — Verizon Arena — North Little Rock, Ark.
  3. Florida Georgia Line with Nelly, Chris Lane & Morgan Wallen — Mid-Florida Credit Union Amphitheatre — Tampa, Fla.
  4. Tim McGraw & Faith Hill — Verizon Center — Washington, DC
  5. Maren Morris — Minglewood Hall — Memphis
  6. Dwight Yoakam — Choctaw Grand Theater — Durant, Okla.
  7. Rascal Flatts — Venetian Theater — Las Vegas
  8. Travis Tritt — Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre — Atlanta
  9. Thomas Rhett with Dan + Shay & Walker Hayes — Pensacola Bay Center — Pensacola, Fla.
  10. Willie Nelson —Harrah’s — Cherokee, N.C.
  11. Jason Isbell – Ryman Auditorium — Nashville
  12. Jon Pardi with Midland & Runaway June – Grayson Stadium – Savannah, Ga.
  13. D. Striker – Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge — Nashville
Get to Know 2017 Nash Next Finalist Gyth Rigdon

Get to Know 2017 Nash Next Finalist Gyth Rigdon

Posted on October 13, 2017

The 2017 Nash Next challenge is down to 10 finalists, and in the lead-up to the announcement of the champion on Nov. 1, NCD will be profiling each of the 10 finalists.

Today, we are getting to know finalist Gyth Rigdon.

In May, Cumulus Media and Big Machine Label Group invited aspiring country artists and bands to participate in Nash Next 2017, a grassroots talent search and artist development program for country music. Sponsored nationally by Country Inns & Suites by Carlson, the winner of the competition will receive a recording contract with Nash Next Records under the Big Machine Label Group and garner substantial exposure, commensurate with a major-label release, on Cumulus radio stations nationwide.

The 10 finalists were selected by a panel of country radio professionals and will be judged in the finale by a group that includes Brooks & Dunn’s Kix Brooks and Scott Borchetta, president and CEO of Big Machine Label Group. The 10 finalists will perform at the 2017 Nash Next finale event at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event is open to the public.

Gyth Rigdon

Home Markets: Lake Charles, La., and Beaumont, Texas
Facebook: gythrigdonmusic
Twitter: @gythrigdon
Instagram: @gythrigdon

How did you get started in music?

When I was around 7 years old, my dad was in a gospel band that would play local churches and nursing homes, so I would travel with them and sing at the shows. I did that until I was 9 years old.

At what age did you realize you wanted to make music your career?

I stopped singing when I was 9. When I was 15, we were all camping one night and my dad and my brothers were playing their guitars and singing. I realized how much I missed music. I told myself I would learn to play. Once I started, my passion and drive grew stronger and stronger.

Who are your musical influences?

I have a wide variety of influences, including Chris Stapleton, Clay Walker, Travis Tritt, Darius Rucker, Otis Redding, 3 Doors Down, James Otto and Conway Twitty.

What three words describe you?

Driven. Passionate. Determined.

What is unique about your sound?

Over the past 8 years of playing music, I have taken bits and pieces of different styles from some of my favorite artists to create what I think is my unique sound. My sound has soul music and country with a touch of Southern rock.

What three albums would you take with you to a deserted island?

Travis Tritt’s Greatest Hits, Chris Stapleton’s Traveller and Otis Redding’s The Very Best of Otis Redding.

What’s a song you wish you had written?

The Steeldrivers’ “Where the Rainbows Never Die.”

What was the first concert you attended?

I was 16 when I went to my first concert. I had actually gotten a call to open for Johnny Lee. The experience to open for a legend was amazing. I was even able to go hang out on his bus after the show and play some songs with him.

What’s the last song you heard that blew you away?

Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect.”

What’s your go-to karaoke song?

Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey.”

Where is the craziest place you’ve performed?

Daiquiri Station in Leesville, Louisiana, when I was 17. I had heard the bar was full of bikers and they were quick to tell an artist to go home if they weren’t good. This was my very first bar show, so you can imagine how nervous I was. I had no idea what I was going to do, until it hit me: all bikers love Lynyrd Skynyrd. The first song I played was “Simple Man.” Now 7 years later, it’s one of my favorites to play.

What’s the first thing you do after a show?

I try to take pictures with and shake the hands of all my fans who came to the show. Then I go to Waffle House.

What’s been your most exciting or unusual fan encounter?

I was playing a bar one night when I met this lady and we started talking about how she loved me and my music. She said she was going to get my logo tattooed on her. I laughed it off and didn’t think twice about it until a week later when I got a message with a picture of her with my logo tattooed on her shoulder. It was actually pretty cool.

What’s your favorite song to cover?

It’s a toss-up between “Purple Rain” and “Tennessee Whiskey.”

What was your reaction when you learned you were one of 10 Nash Next 2017 finalists?

I was on my way home from Nashville when I found out. I was in shock. There was so much talent that entered the contest and for me to make it into the Top 10 is extremely humbling. I immediately called my dad and brothers.

What family member or friend has been most supportive of your musical career?

My dad has been there since day one. I’m proud to say that he has supported me every step of the way. He has never doubted me and always pushed me to work harder. My dad is my hero.

Watch Garth Brooks Perform “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” in Front of 73,000 Fan in Atlanta

Watch Garth Brooks Perform “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” in Front of 73,000 Fan in Atlanta

Posted on October 13, 2017

Garth Brooks christened Atlanta’s new Mercedes-Benz Stadium with its first concert on Oct. 12.

With a 90-yard stage that spanned the Atlanta Falcon’s field from 5-yard line to 5-yard line, Garth started the concert with a fiery rendition of Charlie Daniel’s “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” before treating the 73,000 fans to hit after hit, including “Sail My Vessel,” “Two Pina Coladas,” “Unanswered Prayers,” “That Summer,” “Callin’ Baton Rouge,” “The Dance,” “Friends in Low Places” and more.

“Our job is to make [the concert] as warm as we can,” said Garth before the show. “And with the stage reaching from 5-yard-line to 5-yard-line, we’re going to be close. The front row is something stupid, like over a thousand seats. That’s how a concert should be, right there—where every seat feels like it’s front row.”

Trisha Yearwood’s set included “XXX’s and OOO’s (An American Girl),” “How Do I Live,” “Prizefighter” and more. Former President Jimmy Carter also made an appearance onstage to present Trisha—a Georgia native—with a proclamation from the Peach State for her support over the years.

“I’m so proud to be from here, you know,” said Trisha before the show. “I’m proud for Atlanta. I’m proud for Georgia to have this stadium. It is amazing for this city. I’m honored to be a part of it.”

During his five-song encore, Garth dedicated his a cappella performance of “The Change” to the Las Vegas shooting victims.

Watch Garth’s performance of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” below.

Football Preview: Tennessee vs. South Carolina

Football Preview: Tennessee vs. South Carolina

Posted on October 12, 2017
UT WR Marquez Callaway / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee takes on SEC East foe South Carolina on Saturday at Neyland Stadium. The game will feature a noon ET kickoff on ESPN.

Mark Neely (play-by-play) and Tommy Tuberville (analyst) will be in the booth and Paul Carcaterra will report from the sidelines. Vol Network radio affiliates will have a live audio broadcast with Bob Kesling, Tim Priest and Brent Hubbs. Sirius Channel 137 and XM Channel 190 will also carry a live audio broadcast.

Tennessee (3-2, 0-2 SEC) is coming off a bye week. Before the bye, the Vols suffered a 41-0 home loss to Georgia on Sept. 30. UT went 4-2 after its bye week in 2016.

South Carolina (4-2, 2-2 SEC) is coming off a 48-22 home win over Arkansas on Oct. 7. Gamecocks quarterback Jake Bentley completed 16 of 31 passes for 199 yards and three scores in the win.

South Carolina received three votes in the Week 7 Amway Coaches Poll.

Tennessee-South Carolina Rivalry

The Tennessee-Georgia rivalry has been one of the SEC’s most exciting matchups in each of the last five seasons. Each of the last five games has been decided by three points or less.

Tennessee leads the all-time series 25-8-2. UT is 16-2 against South Carolina when facing the Gamecocks in Knoxville. The only two losses came in 2005 and 2011.

The last time the teams faced each other at Neyland Stadium was on Nov. 7, 2015. Aaron Medley hit a 27-yard field goal with 9:14 remaining in the fourth quarter to give UT a 27-24 win.

In 2016, the Vols committed three costly turnovers at Williams-Brice Stadium and UT’s late comeback attempt fell short. Joshua Dobbs completed a six-yard touchdown pass to Jauan Jennings to bring the Vols to within 24-21 with 7:03remaining. Tennessee had the ball with 35 seconds left and drove to the SC 40, but Medley’s 58-yard field goal attempt with time expiring fell short.

Vols At Home

Tennessee is 462-125-17 (.779) all-time at Neyland Stadium (since 1921) and 13-4 at home since the start of the 2015 season.

The Vols are 2-1 at home so far this season and 21-10 (.677) in Neyland Stadium under Butch Jones.

Check The Stats

Junior running back John Kelly leads the Vols in rushing (494) and receptions (22). He is one of only three Power 5 running backs to lead his team in both categories, joining Penn State’s Saquon Barkley (649 rush yards, 29 catches) and UNC’s Jordon Brown (297 rush yards, 20 catches).

Kelly leads the SEC in all-purpose yards and yards from scrimmage (144.6), while ranking No. 9 overall nationally and No. 5 in the Power 5 in yards from scrimmage. He ranks second in the SEC in rushing yards per game (98.8).

The Vols lead the SEC and rank ninth in the nation in kickoff return average (28.3). Freshman Ty Chandler had a KR TD vs. Indiana St.

Marquez Callaway leads the SEC in punt return average (13.6).

Trevor Daniel ranks second in the nation and second nationally in punting average (47.3). He has put 13 inside the 20 and 13 50+ in 29 punts.

VFL Reunion This Weekend

Tennessee will host its fourth annual VFL Reunion, welcoming former players back to Rocky Top and Neyland Stadium.

Butch Jones and the Vols will welcome back over 200 former players as part of the program’s VFL Reunion game. The VFLs will have the opportunity to take part in the Vol Walk and will also join Team 121 in the greatest Tennessee traditional of all, running through the T as UT takes the field.

Eight Former Vols Set to Be Inducted into Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame

Tennessee Athletics announced its eight-person 2017 induction class for the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame back in August. The star-studded class includes Monica Abbott (softball), the late Ray Bussard (coach; men’s swimming), Phillip Fulmer (coach; football), Justin Gatlin (men’s track), Todd Helton (baseball), Jeremy Linn (men’s swimming), the late Gen. Robert Neyland (coach; football) and Delisa Walton Myricks (women’s track).

The Class of 2017 will be celebrated this weekend with events and activities surrounding the Vols’ game against South Carolina. The Hall of Fame activities will include a private induction ceremony on the evening of Friday, Oct. 13. The inductees also will be recognized on the field at Neyland Stadium at the end of the first quarter.

During the second timeout of the second quarter, Gatlin and fellow VFL Christian Coleman will be recognized on the field for their outstanding performances at the 2017 IAAF World Championships. In the men’s 100m final, Gatlin won gold and Coleman took silver. The UT duo teamed up in the men’s 4×100 to earn silver as well.

-UT Athletics

 

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