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Tennessee football 2019 recap: 10 most heartbreaking plays of Vols season

By Caleb Calhoun

GAINESVILLE, FL- SEPTEMBER 21: Trey Dean III #21 of the Florida Gators intercepts a throw from Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL- SEPTEMBER 21: Trey Dean III #21 of the Florida Gators intercepts a throw from Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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8. Georgia State Panthers

Jarrett Guarantano pass intercepted by Trajan Stephens-McQueen

Tennessee Volunteers lose 38-30

Although the Georgia State Panthers dominated the Tennessee football defense in this game, the heartbreak still came down to just a few plays. This one came late and effectively sealed the deal for Shawn Elliott’s team against the Vols, and that was a brutal blow that set the tone for the entire first half of the season on Rocky Top.

At this point, mistakes had already put the Vols in a 35-23 hole. But with over four and a half minutes to go, there was clearly still time for an unlikely comeback. After all, that’s plenty of time in a two-score game if your offense is moving the ball. Well, a mistake by Jarrett Guarantano made it 2nd and 17 from inside the 20 at one point.

Desperation set in. And with that, Guarantano threw an interception to Trajan Stephens-McQueen. Down two scores and with Georgia State having the ball, it was clear at that point they would go on to pull off a major upset. Even Elliott called off the dogs, and he settled for a field goal to build a 38-23 lead.

UT scored a touchdown on the next and final drive, but it clearly wasn’t enough. The Vols lost the shocker 38-30, and this play was heartbreaking because it was the nail in the coffin in what was a brutal season-opening loss. Heartbreaking Guarantano interceptions told lots of stories in early games this season.

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