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Tennessee football: Key moments and turning points in Vols win vs. Charlotte

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 3: Evan Shirreffs #16 of the Charlotte 49ers is tackled on a play by Defensive lineman Kyle Phillips #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers and Defensive back Theo Jackson #26 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Charlotte 49ers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 3: Evan Shirreffs #16 of the Charlotte 49ers is tackled on a play by Defensive lineman Kyle Phillips #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers and Defensive back Theo Jackson #26 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Charlotte 49ers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee football got an ugly win Saturday against the Charlotte 49ers. Here are the key moments and turning points in the Volunteers’ victory.

It was a hideous win for Tennessee football. The awful offensive line play resulted in an embarrassing game for the Vols as they held on to beat the Charlotte 49ers 14-3. Hey, a win is a win, right?

Well, there were many key moments that kept the game close. That includes a missed field goal and allowing two sacks and nine tackles for a loss. However, they were able to get a win, and it took a few key moments in their favor.

The turning points lasted all four quarters. And yes, the Vols needed all four quarters to make sure they got out of Saturday with a victory. Here are the most notable moments from Tennessee football’s win over the Charlotte 49ers.

Marquez Callaway punt return touchdown

In a game with very little scoring, a punt return is clearly going to be a key moment. And since Tennessee football couldn’t move the ball offensively, this was obviously critical. With the game scoreless early, Marquez Callaway took a punt from the 18-yard line and returned it 82 yards for a touchdown. It was his first punt return TD in two years, and unlike the first one, this touchdown was a huge difference in the game.

Charlotte stopped on 4th and 5 from the 37

On the very next drive, Tennessee football’s defense made the first of multiple stands in the game. Charlotte drove into the Vols’ territory, and it looked like this unit would struggle again. But on 2nd and 4 from the UT 36, Charlotte got a false start penalty. That ended up being all the difference, as it subsequently resulted in a 4th and 5 play. And the Vols were able to force an incomplete pass to hold off a threatening Charlotte drive.

Jarrett Guarantano’s three completions on Vols touchdown drive

It was the only good offensive drive for the Vols all game. They could not run the ball to save their life, so Jarrett Guarantano’s arm had to be the difference. And it was just that for this one key drive. Guarantano went 3-for-3 no this drive, including a 12-yard pass to Callaway, a 33-yard pass to Dominick Wood-Anderson and then a 16-yard touchdown pass to Josh Palmer. That put the Vols up 14-0 and would be all the points they needed in the game.

Vols goal line stand at the end of the first half

Charlotte had a chance to cut this game to 14-7 at the end of the first half as they drove inside the Tennessee 10-yard line. Again, the defense continued to struggle stopping the 49ers from moving the ball throughout parts of the game. But they held firm when they needed, and this was one of those times. Charlotte made it 3rd and goal from the 3-yard line, but the Vols were able to force an incomplete pass and hold them to a field goal. That was a huge deal, as it gave them breathing room the rest of the way.

Charlotte stopped on 4th and 1 from the 28

In the fourth quarter, the 49ers were still in the game. And they drove into Vols territory again with plenty of time left in the game. On 1st and 10 from the UT 37, they got a six-yard game to make it 2nd and 4. Then it became 3rd and 2. And that’s when the Vols’ defense came through again. They stopped Charlotte on back to back runs, most notably on 4th and 1 from the 28. That stop secured the game for Tennessee football. It wasn’t easy, but they couldn’t relax until they made that play.

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