UT Vols football finds something extra in Jarrett Guarantano, receivers to raise hopes

AUBURN, Ala. — Tennessee’s 30-24 victory was assured in the final minute when wide receiver Jauan Jennings recovered Auburn’s onside kick Saturday afternoon at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

How appropriate. Earlier, Jennings had pushed the Vols ever closer to a victorious finish line with a 25-yard touchdown catch.

Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano was the star of UT’s victory. He completed 21 of 32 passes for 328 yards and two touchdowns in the upset of No. 21 Auburn.

But Jennings and the rest of his receivers also played a prominent role in a victory that hardly anyone could have seen coming. Three UT wide receivers had 55 yards or more in receptions. Running back Ty Chandler had five catches for 62 yards.

Auburn limited Tennessee Vols running game

You can’t fully appreciate the significance of that unless you check out Tennessee’s rushing stats. The Vols managed a mere 68 yards on 36 carries.

You aren’t supposed to be able to win SEC games like that — especially on the road against a nationally ranked team.

But Tennessee did just that while improving its record to 3-3. And that’s a great sign for the second half of the season.

UT occasionally has had modest success running the football this season. However, the running game was hardly formidable enough that you could count on it against an SEC opponent. Tennessee’s offense needed something extra.

Guarantano and his receivers provided that something extra. Don’t dismiss the offensive line’s role in the victory, either.

The line didn’t consistently knock aside Auburn’s defensive front. Too often, the Vols made no headway or lost yardage on running plays. They also gave up three sacks.

But on other plays, UT's blockers gave Guarantano time to throw deep. That was crucial.

Big days for Jauan Jennings, Ty Chandler, Marquez Callaway

Aside from Jennings’ 25-yard touchdown, Josh Palmer and Chandler had 42-yard receptions, and Marquez Callaway had a 30-yard catch.

Those receivers consistently held onto the football. They also beat Auburn defenders in one-on-one matchups for the ball

“I thought we put the ball where our wide receivers could (get it) and nobody else (could),” UT coach Jeremy Pruitt said. “Our receivers did a really good job playing the ball.”

The success of the passing game is paramount heading into the second half of the season, starting with Alabama on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

In a conference famous for defense and running offense, the winner is often determined by which team can throw the ball more effectively. That’s one reason why Tennessee didn’t win an SEC game last season and why it was picked to finish near the bottom of the East this season.

But when you consider how well the passing game functioned against a talented and experienced defense, it’s much easier to be optimistic about the rest of Tennessee’s season.

Up next is Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa, the best quarterback in the country. Later comes Missouri’s Drew Lock, who’s expected to be taken in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft.

But none of the other four teams left on UT’s schedule has an obvious passing advantage on the Vols — not after the way the Vols pitched and caught against the Tigers.    

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.

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