COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano has endured insults and injury during a topsy-turvy junior season. He persevered, and on Saturday night he threw for 415 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Volunteers to a 24-20 victory over Missouri.
With its fourth straight win, Tennessee (6-5, 4-3 Southeastern Conference) is bowl eligible for the first time since 2016. Missouri (5-6, 2-5) has lost its last five.
After coming off the bench the previous six games, Guarantano started the game and completed 23 of 40 passes.
“When you play against these guys, the different looks they give you, you’re going to have to check at the line of scrimmage, and he absolutely gives us the best chance to do that,” Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt said. “And, hey, we’ve got confidence in him. He’s got everything you need to be a good quarterback, and tonight was far and away his best game.”
Missouri’s Kelly Bryant completed 16 of 28 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown. Running back Tyler Badie had two touchdown catches, including one from wide receiver Micah Wilson on a trick play.
“They battled, they competed, they fought, and we came up short,” Missouri coach Barry Odom said. “And I hate it that it resulted in a loss.”
The Tigers cut Tennessee’s lead to 24-20 with Tucker McCann’s second field goal with 4:02 left. But the Volunteers defense, led by Daniel Bituli’s 12 tackles and a sack, stopped Missouri on its final drive.
Tennessee outgained Missouri 526-280 and converted 9 of 16 third downs.
BIG PICTURE
Missouri: The Tigers were 5-1 and ranked 22nd entering their Oct. 19 game at Vanderbilt. A loss to the Commodores began a slide that has led to questions about coach Barry Odom’s job security. Odom is 24-25 in four seasons at his alma mater. He has a chance to even his record and secure bowl eligibility against struggling Arkansas.
EARNING THEIR YARDS
Missouri linebacker Nick Bolton briefly knocked Jennings out of the game in the second quarter with a hit near the goal line when Jennings was running the ball as a wildcat quarterback. …. Bolton hit Callaway in the midsection in the second quarter, and Callaway remained on the turf for several minutes before returning a few plays later. … Missouri safety Tyree Gillespie drilled Palmer in the fourth quarter on a pass over the middle.
SECOND STRING
Missouri senior cornerback DeMarkus Acy missed the game with a hamstring injury. … Fellow starting cornerback Jarvis Ware got hurt on the first series and didn’t return. …. Backup cornerback Adam Sparks was shaken in the second half, which led to playing time for true freshman Chris Shearin. … Missouri’s top receivers, Johnathon Johnson and Albert Okwuegbunam, didn’t play because of shoulder issues.
ON THE REBOUND
Guarantano had started the first four games of the season, but he and the team struggled. He broke a bone in his left hand midway through the season, had surgery and played with a brace. He played well off the bench to help the Volunteers rebound from a 1-4 start.
THEY SAID IT
Guarantano thanking his teammates after the game: “There were so many guys who were there for me throughout the death threats, the mean messages to my sister. They were all there for me, and it really meant a lot. There were some hectic times for me, and they were there for me every step of the way, like I was for them in the past. I hope I’m able to pay them back the way I did tonight.”
Pruitt about the Volunteers becoming bowl eligible: “I’m excited for our players, especially our seniors. When we came in after the Florida game, we’re sitting 1-4, and we said, ‘We’re going to make a bowl. How are we going to do it?’ We had one of those meetings. And those guys backed up what they said they were going to do.”
WAITING FOR FINAL DECISION
Missouri was hit in January with an NCAA postseason ban for academic violations committed before Odom took over as coach, but the school is appealing the ban and the NCAA has yet to rule on the appeal.
UP NEXT
Tennessee: The Volunteers return home for their regular-season finale Saturday against Vanderbilt.
Missouri: The Tigers finish the regular season against Arkansas on Friday in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Photo credit – L.G. Patterson / Associated Press / Columbia, MO
