Tennessee football: Vols had every element of turnaround in win at Missouri

In Tennessee football’s 24-20 win at the Mizzou Tigers, the Volunteers had every element that has been driving their turnaround all season.

During their bye week, we listed all the reasons Tennessee football had been able to turn things around this year. Our post listed freshmen developing, defensive tackles emerging, key players like Daniel Bituli getting healthy and the quarterbacks dramatically improving.

Well, Saturday’s win at the Missouri Tigers had all of those things. Defensive tackles emerging? Check. They held Mizzou to under three yards a carry on the ground with the push they got. What about freshmen developing? Well, Henry To’o To’o had a key stop late that helped secure their win. Bituli’s health was clear, as he led the team in tackles again and had a sack.

But the real story was obviously Jarrett Guarantano, who threw for over 400 yards and had three receivers go for over 100 yards each. Given the way he struggled early in the year, his play continued to be elite.

Beyond those factors, though, intangibles that had been a part of Tennessee football’s individual wins in this turnaround all came to fruition on Saturday. There are things that went into play for each of them, and they all came together on Saturday.

Remember, the Vols needed late third down conversions to secure victories over the Mississippi State Bulldogs and Kentucky Wildcats. Well, at Mizzou, they had two third down conversions to keep the ball and secure the win on their final drive.

What about multiple 100-yard receivers? That’s how they were able to beat the South Carolina Gamecocks, as Jauan Jennings and Marquez Callaway both went for over 100 yards and had touchdowns in that game. They did it again at Mizzou. This time, Josh Palmer also came on by going over 100 yards himself.

Defensive stands? That was another factor to beating Kentucky. UT had to get three fourth down stops in the fourth quarter at UK, including a goal-line stand. Well, once again, they needed three fourth quarter defensive stands, this time only allowing a field goal on those three drives. And in both instances, Bituli led the way, this time with 10 tackles and a sack.

Simply put, everything that had been part of Tennessee football turning its season around, mentally and physically, was in this game. Earlier in the year, they couldn’t do either. Against the BYU Cougars, they failed to convert late to hold on to the ball, then the defense gave up a deep pass that resulted in them failing to secure the lead.

Over the past two weeks, their defense has had multiple stands, and the offense has secured conversions when needed. That represents a culture change under Jeremy Pruitt, and for that he deserves a ton of credit.

The elements in this turnaround are why the Vols were able to overcome two blocked field goals and a fumble by a running back in the fourth quarter, which happened for the second straight game. Earlier in the year, place-kicking was supposed to be their biggest advantage. And they would’ve had no chance in a game if Brent Cimaglia didn’t perform.

However, during this run, they survived two blocked field goals at Missouri and Cimaglia missing a kick within 40 yards against South Carolina. That UT has been able to win two games with their best weapon neutralized should give you an idea of just how good they are now.

This team has truly turned a corner, and it’s why Tennessee football is going bowling after an 0-2 start with two home losses to Group of Five programs and a 1-4 start overall. They now finished .500 on the road this year, and they could finish 7-5 and with a winning record in the SEC. That is incredibly impressive.