Lots of key moments affected Tennessee football’s crucial win at Mizzou. Here are the turning points from the Volunteers’ victory in Columbia, Mo.
Throughout this winning streak, Tennessee football has relied on a few gigantic plays each game to pull out victories. However, on Saturday, it was a different story. Despite numerous mistakes, their 24-20 win at the Missouri Tigers was the result of great offensive plays throughout the game and the defense consistently coming through.
The Vols overcame falling behind 3-0 and 10-7 while also suffering two blocked field goals, another fourth quarter fumble and allowing a first down on a fake punt. Simply put, Jeremy Pruitt’s team had a lot of curveballs thrown its way in this game.
But Tennessee football kept fighting. And in the end, they sent Barry Odom’s team home with a fifth straight loss while they moved to 6-5. Despite lots of great performances, there were a few key moments that stood out and changed the flow of the game. Here are the key moments and turning points in the Vols’ win at Mizzou.
Jauan Jennings 20-yard catch on 3rd and 18
Amidst all the passes Jarrett Guarantano had already made, this one flies under the radar. Down 10-7 in the second quarter, the Vols had a holding penalty on 2nd and 10 that brought up 2nd and 18 from midfield. Jeremy Pruitt, for some reason, pulled Guarantano for a play and brought in Brian Maurer, and he threw an incomplete pass.
Guarantano came back in, and as usual, his coming off the bench gave him the spark he needed en route to 415 yards. The very next play, he converted a 3rd and 18 pass to Jauan Jennings to keep the drive alive. Jennings eventually had a touchdown catch on that drive, but that conversion was the key play.
Jarrett Guarantano touchdown pass to Marquez Callaway
Third downs were the story of the game. But in the third quarter, thanks to misuse of clock management near halftime and two blocked field goals, the Missouri Tigers were able to tie the game up with Tennessee football at 17. The Vols got the ball back and drove down the field, once again reaching the red zone.
But Mizzou brought up a 3rd and 5 from the 17-yard-line. UT’s field goal issues made it a concern if they had to kick, so Pruitt needed a touchdown. Well, Jim Chaney called a fade pass to Marquez Callaway. Despite the Tigers jumping offside and a foul in the end zone on them, Callaway won the one-on-one matchup for the go-ahead touchdown. And the Vols went up 24-17.
Daniel Bituli sacks Kelly Bryant
It took three defensive stands in the fourth quarter for the Vols to win this game, the middle one resulting in a Missouri Tigers field goal. However, the first one came after UT’s go-ahead touchdown to Callaway. Kelly Bryant appeared to be getting in rhythm and brought up a 3rd and 3 from the Missouri 32. A first down would be huge.
But in a beautifully drawn up blitz by Derrick Ansley, Daniel Bituli, who was once again a defensive star, came around the edge and sacked him for a loss. That brought up 4th and 12 and killed one fourth quarter drive, which Mizzou desperately needed.
Henry To’o To’o tackles Kelly Bryant for a loss
Two drives after Daniel Bituli’s sack, Tennessee football needed one more defensive stop. They were clinging to a 24-20 lead, and just like the game against the Kentucky Wildcats, the Vols had nearly blown this game thanks to a running back fumble that led to Mizzou’s fourth quarter field goal. So could they get one more stop?
Well, the Tigers brought up a 3rd and 3 again at their own 40. So Pruitt needed a play again. In what looked like a designed draw, Kelly Bryant took the snap and began running. But this time, Henry To’o To’o, the freshman inside linebacker, made the play. He wrapped up Bryant with an amazing tackle behind the line to stop Mizzou’s final offensive drive.
Back to back third down conversions to seal the win
Once again, just like at Kentucky and against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, the Vols would put the ball in Jarrett Guarantano’s hands to win the game. They got it back up four with three and a half minutes to go, and Mizzou had all three timeouts. But on 3rd and 9 from their own 14, Guarantano found Josh Palmer for a first down.
Then, on a 3rd and 5, the Tigers had burned their timeouts. One first down would seal the win. Chaney went to his go-to players, as he called a play for Guarantano to Jauan Jennings. The two connected for the first, Jennings stayed in bounds, and the Vols were able to run out the clock. Clutch conversions have defined this team. Guarantano pulled it off again.