Vols can become bowl eligible with win against Mizzou
Tennessee looks to make it three wins in a row when the Volunteers play host to Missouri on Saturday in the final game this season at Knoxville’s Neyland Stadium.
The Vols (5-5, 2-4 SEC) are suddenly looking at potential bowl eligibility after upsetting No. 12 Kentucky 24-7 last week in one of the most complete efforts by the team under first year head coach Jeremy Pruitt.
“I thought for the first time this year that our guys played with good effort throughout the game,” Pruitt said.
“We didn’t always execute like we would like to, and we definitely didn’t finish the game the way you want to. We had two fumbles in the fourth quarter and had a chance to finish the game and we didn’t. Luckily, we got some turnovers on defense, but there are lots of positives, but there’s a lot of things we can learn from and we need to improve on to get better this week.”
That improvement will have to come quickly against a Missouri (6-4, 2-4 SEC) squad that brings with it in tow to Rocky Top an offense posting 35.5 points and 473.4 yards per game.
“They’re very balanced offensively,” Pruitt said. “I think (Missouri offense coordinator) Derek’s (Dooley) done a fantastic job with what they’re doing offensively. They’ve been able to run the ball. They’ve been committed to it. Done a really nice job protecting the quarterback and they have lots of experience up front. They have big men, have a good scheme so we’re going to have to play well to have a chance.”
Tennessee earned its second win over a ranked opponent this season (No. 21 Auburn in Week 7) by being more physical than the Wildcats on defense and using sustained drives that resulted in points on the board.
Vols quarterback Jarrett Guarantano continued to mature against Kentucky, leading the offense on four scoring drives of more than 55 yards, including touchdown drives of 81, 72 and 85 yards. Accuracy is the calling card of the sophomore, whose 64.8 career completion percentage is the highest in program history, ranking ahead of Darryl Dickey (63 percent) and Peyton Manning (62.5 percent).
Guarantano has thrown just two interceptions on the year, both coming in Week 4 against Florida. His 146 consecutive passes without being picked off are also a school record.
Against Missouri, he’ll face a Tigers defense that’s surrendered that second-most passing touchdowns (20) in the conference and is giving up 276.5 yards per game in the air.