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Tennessee football 2019 recap: Ranking Vols eight wins for season

By Caleb Calhoun

JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 02: Alontae Taylor #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates reacts following the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl against the Indiana Hoosiers at TIAA Bank Field on January 2, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. Tennessee defeated Indiana 23-22. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 02: Alontae Taylor #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates reacts following the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl against the Indiana Hoosiers at TIAA Bank Field on January 2, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. Tennessee defeated Indiana 23-22. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images
Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images /

7. UAB Blazers (Homecoming)

30-7

Saturday, Nov. 2

By the time homecoming had arrived for Tennessee football, there was tepid optimism for a turnaround season. The Vols had just come off a huge win over the South Carolina Gamecocks, and despite being 3-5 heading into the game, they had a chance to really get something going after such a horrendous start. This was a game to cash in on that.

Bryce Thompson got things started early. Another player who missed the first part of the season, in his case due to a suspension, Thompson had three first-half interceptions, including one on the first play of the game. Brent Cimaglia, meanwhile, had three field goals, including one that was from 53 yards out.

Beyond that, Jauan Jennings had a touchdown run, and Jarrett Guarantano had a touchdown pass to Eric Gray. Guarantano, who had won fans back over the week before with his heroics against South Carolina, struggled against UAB and threw a bad pick in the red zone before the half. He didn’t start either. But he helped secure the win.

This wasn’t a bad win either. Led by Bill Clark, UAB was defending a Conference-USA Title. They would end up playing for another one. So this was a quality non-conference Group of Five victory. But it was boring, and it was expected. There were not too many of those this season. The win here helped Vol fans breath a sigh of relief and start November off on the right foot.

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