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Tennessee football: Turning points in 35-12 win vs. Missouri

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 3, 2020; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) and Tennessee running back Eric Gray (3) celebrate after Gray scores a touchdown during a SEC conference football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Missouri Tigers at Neyland stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brianna Paciorka-USA TODAY NETWORK
Oct 3, 2020; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) and Tennessee running back Eric Gray (3) celebrate after Gray scores a touchdown during a SEC conference football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Missouri Tigers at Neyland stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brianna Paciorka-USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Here are key moments and video highlights from the Tennessee football Volunteers’ win against Mizzou.

For the most part, Tennessee football completely controlled the Missouri Tigers. The Vols never relinquished the lead once they took it, and the Missouri Tigers never came within double-digits of them in the second half.

However, there were points in which it looked like Eliah Drinkwtiz’s team could be threatening. Jeremy Pruitt made sure his guys killed that momentum with a few key moments that were the highlights in the game.

Thanks to these plays, Tennessee football is 2-0 heading into Athens, Ga. to face the Georgia Bulldogs next week. Let’s take a look at some of them. These were the turning points in the Vols’ 35-12 win at Neyland.

Two fourth down conversions in opening-drive touchdown

With Cade Mays back, the message was clear. Jim Chaney wanted to overwhelm Mizzou with a dominant rushing attack. On this drive, that was blatant. The Vols converted two fourth downs on quarterback sneaks. It first happened after Jarrett Guarantano completed a nine-yard pass to Brandon Johnson on 3rd and 10 from their own 25-yard line.

Guarantano later completed a three-yard pass to Johnson on 3rd and 4 to the Missouri four-yard line. Both times, a quick sneak got the first down. Ty Chandler capped it all off with a three-yard touchdown run to put UT up 7-0.

Eric Gray 20-yard run puts Vols up 14-0

After forcing two punts but missing a field goal in between, the Vols were looking to take control of the game. Enter the rushing attack. Eric Gray and Ty Chandler combined for 38 yards on this drive, which carried into the second quarter.

Aided by a 15-yard personal foul penalty, a nine-yard pass from Jarrett Guarantano to Josh Palmer and another 4th and 1 sneak by Guarantano, Tennessee football continued to move. Once UT got to the red zone, Gray took the handoff and ran 20 yards for the score to put the Vols up 14-0.

Eric Gray touchdown caps off late first-half drive

A 14-0 lead turned into 14-6 once the Missouri Tigers replaced Shawn Robinson with Connor Bazelak, and were it not for a couple of drops, it could have turned into 14-14. Bazelak was a turning point for Mizzou, with the ball late in the second quarter, Jeremy Pruitt’s team needed a score to take back control with Mizzou set to receive to open the second half.

Once again, Chandler, Gray and Guarantano came through. Chandler had six carries for 44 yards on this drive. Guarantano completed an 18-yard pass to Jalin Hyatt. Then, on 3rd and 4 in the red zone, he found Gray for a quick screen pass, which Gray took 13 yards into the end zone for a score to give the Vols a 21-6 lead going into halftime.

Theo Jackson interception stops Missouri drive

In the second half, Tennessee football appeared to break things open with another touchdown to go up 28-6. However, the Missouri Tigers scored a touchdown and then forced a punt, and down 28-12, they were driving and one score away from making it a one-score game. This was getting tense in the fourth quarter.

UT’s secondary was having way too much trouble with Connor Bazelak, and Mizzou had the ball 1st and 10 at the Tennessee 27. That’s when Theo Jackson, a veteran, made a play. Jackson dropped back in zone and made a great interception, and he returned it 36 yards into Missouri territory. That was critical to making sure the Vols stayed in control.

Jarrett Guarantano scores converting fourth 4th down

It was clear that Rocky Top needed to cash in on Theo Jackson’s interception. Once again, a dominant rushing attack came through. Jarrett Guarantano started it off with balance, though, completing a 22-yard pass to Velus Jones Jr., and then the running game came. Eric Gray had three carries for 15 yards, which set up a 1st and 10 from the 11.

Next. Five takeaways from Vols' 35-12 win vs. Missouri. dark

A pass interference gave Tennessee football on the two-yard line. The Vols needed four plays, but on 3rd and goal and 4th and goal, Jeremy Pruitt and Jim Chaney called a quarterback sneak twice. Guarantano got the ball in the end zone the second time for this third touchdown of the day, and that clinched the game for the Vols.

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