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Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols loss to BYU Cougars

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the inside of Neyland Stadium during a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the inside of Neyland Stadium during a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images) /
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A double-overtime game ended with Tennessee football losing to Brigham Young 29-26. Here are five things we learned from the Volunteers’ loss.

It got worse. Tennessee football appeared on the rebound after suffering a horrible upset loss to the Georgia State Panthers. But they allowed a deep pass with seconds left while up 16-13 to allow the BYU Cougars to hit a game-tying field goal and then win in overtime.

The Vols blew a 13-3 lead in the second half, falling not just to 0-2 but 0-2 while leading at halftime. Jeremy Pruitt’s seat is officially exploding as a result, and the panic that set in last week is real. This is not a good team.

BYU scored two touchdowns on overtime, while the Vols hit a touchdown and a field goal. As a result, they lost 29-26 in their first game against the school from Utah and in their first home game with alcohol sales. Here are five takeaways from their loss.

Tennessee football lost in the most Tennessee way.

You couldn’t script it worse. The Vols were up 13-3 at halftime. They got their one touchdown off a lucky tipped pass that was caught. Their only touchdown allowed with a minute left in the game was off an interception by Jarrett Guarantano. Then BYU hit a Hail Mary to set up the game-tying field goal and scored back to back touchdowns in overtime. There are no words other than this is a usual thing for Rocky Top now.

Jarrett Guarantano has to make better decisions…and make them quicker.

So if we are going to analyze this game, one clear analysis is that Jarrett Guarantano’s decision making has to improve. His arm is still fine. But he threw one pass too late to Jauan Jennings in the end zone, so that drive stalled and ended in a field goal. Then his interception was thrown into triple-coverage. I’m still not in the bench-him camp yet, but this was a bad game.

Trenches wilted again. 

Tennessee football’s offensive line is improving, but the interior blocking is still an issue. They were stopped on two fourth and shorts again and also failed to convert another third and short. Meanwhile, the defensive line looked much better. But once overtime hit, they were M.I.A. And that ended up being the difference by that point.

Offense has to improve in opponents’ territory.

The Vols had kicked seven field goals in two games. They should have had at least two touchdowns on those drive Saturday, and it was embarrassing that they didn’t. If the red zone offense doesn’t improve, this team could go 0-12. They would already be 2-0 if it was better, even if the wins were ugly.

Jauan Jennings and Brent Cimaglia are clutch.

Okay, so here’s one positive. Brent Cimaglia hit a 51-yard field goal and a 40-yard field goal in overtime. Jauan Jennings caught both touchdown passes, one off a tipped ball and the other in overtime to tie it up. If everybody had their guts, the Vols would be 2-0 and have won both games in dominating fashion. But they both deserved a shoutout.

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