Guarantano’s interception dooms Vols in latest loss
AUBURN, Ala. — Tennessee’s chance at upsetting No. 21 Auburn on Saturday night got lost in the Smoke.
Auburn’s Smoke Monday returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter, turning UT’S chance to either tie the game or take the lead into a two-possession lead for the home team.
Auburn prevailed 30-17 at JordanHare Stadium in the latest blow to embattled third-year Vols coach Jeremy Pruitt.
Tennessee (2-5) has lost five straight, its longest losing streak since starting the 1988 season 0-6. Auburn (5-2), playing for the first time since Halloween, has won three straight.
Here are five things we learned.
Tennessee allows another defensive touchdown
In the last four-and-a-half games, Tennessee’s opponents have scored five defensive touchdowns, compared to the Vols’ six offensive touchdowns during that stretch.
For the third time this season, Jarrett Guarantano threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown.
The timing of this one was brutal. Tennessee’s running back tandem of Eric Gray and Ty Chandler had supplied all 63 yards during a drive that reached Auburn’s 12 before Guarantano, while under pressure, forced a pass to Josh Palmer in double coverage.
Monday intercepted the underthrown ball and ran the length of the field along the sideline.
At worst, Tennessee should have had a short field-goal opportunity that could have tied the game at 13. At best, the Vols could have scored a touchdown to regain the lead they recently lost.
Instead, the interception felt like a game-ending play, given Tennessee’s offensive limitations.
Tennessee was outscored 10-0 during the third quarter, giving opponents a 71-7 third-quarter scoring edge during the Vols’ losing streak.
Guarantano plays most of game
Guarantano earned his 32nd career start, as Pruitt showed he remains committed to the floundering senior.
Guarantano completed 15 of 23 passes for 156 yards, with the costly turnover. On the bright side, he completed 5 of 7 passes on third down, with four of those completions allowing Tennessee to move the chains.
Jordan-hare Stadium was the site for one of the best games of Guarantano’s career. He threw for 328 yards in Tennessee’s 2018 upset of Auburn, including an 11-for-14 clip on third downs. His wide receivers offered plenty of help that day, hauling in one downfield 50/ 50 ball after another.
Freshman Harrison Bailey moved up a rung on the depth chart to second string, but he didn’t play until midway through the fourth quarter. He completed 7 of 10 passes for 86 yards.
Brian Maurer, the team’s backup the previous two games, did not make the travel roster. The Vols traveled three quarterbacks for the second straight road game, with J.T. Shrout claiming the third spot.
Vols defense stands up in red zone
Tennessee intercepted a pass for the first time since the season’s second game. Bryce Thompson picked off Bo Nix’s first-quarter pass intended for Anthony Schwartz in the end zone. The Vols pressured Nix. He moved up in the pocket and threw an off-balance pass that lacked zip.
Tennessee also held Auburn to two short field goals on drives that stalled in the red zone. Outside linebackers Tyler Baron and Kivon Bennett delivered a tackle for loss and sack, respectively, to highlight those red-zone stands.
Eric Gray offers a bright spot
In 2017, John Kelly led Tennessee in rushing yards and tied for the team lead in receptions.
Gray has a chance to repeat that feat. The sophomore is one of the few reasons to feel excited about Tennessee’s future.
He rushed for a season-high 173 yards and a touchdown, giving him 651 yards for the season. He also caught three passes, moving him alongside Palmer for the team lead with 22 receptions.
Special teams fail the Vols
Brent Cimaglia earned the nickname Automaglia last season while converting 23 of 27 field-goal attempts. The moniker no longer applies.
The senior made 1 of 3 attempts Saturday, moving him to 5 of 9 for the season. He converted from 47 yards and missed from 50 and 37.