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Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano recapped UT”s win against Kentucky
Mike Wilson, USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee
Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) looks for an open receiver during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018.(Photo: Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel)
Jarrett Guarantano crouched under center little more than 2 yards away from the Kentucky goal line in the third quarter Saturday and was overcome with excitement.
Right in front of him, Kentucky defenders told him what they knew was coming — a sweep.
Only it wasn’t. Guarantano faked a pitch and the entire Wildcats defense bit. The sophomore quarterback turned and delivered an easy touchdown pbad to a wide-open Dominick Wood-Anderson.
“I was pretty excited when I called the snap,” Guarantano said.
It was that type of day for the Vols, whose Tyson Helton-led and Guarantano-executed offense clicked.
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The Vols (5-5, 2-4 SEC) posted 412 total yards and 215 rushing yards — both the most in a game against a Power 5 team this season — in UT’s 24-7 win against No. 12 Kentucky (7-3, 5-3) a week after a rough outing against Charlotte.
“The whole week, I think the whole team felt very confident going into this game,” Guarantano said. “I know we struggled last week. But this was different. We had great practices. We were getting after each other on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“I thought that we had a lot of confidence in the locker room despite what we did last week.”
The confidence started with Helton and Tennessee’s offensive coaching staff. Vols coach Jeremy Pruitt said that group came in early in the week and “knew what they wanted to do.”
Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt and the Vols beat Kentucky on Saturday
Mike Wilson, USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee
Guarantano likewise praised the game plan, which put the pressure on his throwing arm on the first play of first-half drives often.
“I definitely get a little bit excited,” said Guarantano, who went 12-of-20 pbading for 197 yards and two touchdowns. “I know that we have guys on the outside that are going to go up and make plays. They do every week. That’s a testament to them.”
Guarantano threw on the first play of each of Tennessee’s first four drives. He completed two — a 38-yard connection with Jordan Murphy and a 25-yard pbad to Josh Palmer — and drew a pbad interference flag on an attempt to Jauan Jennings.
“I think our kids did a really good job executing,” Pruitt said. “They had better protection. The quarterback knew where he was going with the football, and he threw the football where only we could catch it and our receivers made some good plays.”
Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano talks about UT’s 24-7 win against Kentucky.
Mike Wilson, USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee
Tennessee had five plays of 15 yards or more in the pbading game, all in the first half and starting with the early first-down completions.
Guarantano hit running back Tim Jordan down the seam for a 34-yard gain to set up a touchdown a play later.
Then Guarantano made two of his best plays of the day, patiently evading pressure and completing clutch throws late in the first half. He hit Marquez Callaway for a 17-yard gain, then launched a Hail Mary into the end zone, where Callaway battled and caught the touchdown as the half expired.
“It’s definitely an energy-bringer to the game,” offensive lineman Ryan Johnson said. “Explosive plays are always necessary. Those are really great things to have. It’s the small plays that open the holes for the big plays.”
Tennessee linebacker Darrell Taylor had four sacks on Saturday
Mike Wilson, USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee
Tennessee also benefited from the return of sophomore running back Ty Chandler, who was limited last week with an injury. He led Tennessee with 89 rushing yards on 16 attempts and provided four rushes of at least 10 yards. Tim Jordan chipped in another pair, while Murphy bolted 59 yards on an end around for the longest play in the game as he proved a factor for the first time this season.
The Vols were cooking Saturday and it led to big results for an offense that has struggled too often. They followed the lead of their quarterback, whose attitude was evident throughout Saturday’s handling of a ranked team.
Midway through the second quarter, Guarantano hopped up after taking a hit from Kentucky star linebacker Josh Allen and brushed himself off with extra emphasis.
“I feel like the guys look for it,” Guarantano said. “They always tell me during the week they need that from me. Whatever they need, I’m going to give to them. There were some funny ones out there today.”
DOMINANCE: Tennessee 24, Kentucky 7: Jarrett Guarantano, UT Vols defense fuel upset of Wildcats
NO YARDS: UT Vols: Why Tennessee football defense was motivated to shut down Kentucky running game
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