How Jarrett Guarantano's 'last opportunity' led to Vols offensive breakout
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Jarrett Guarantano waited two months for Saturday — and Saturday was it for the Vols quarterback.
He finally got his opportunity to return to the starting lineup and put an ultimate view on the day.
“This was probably my last opportunity to be honest,” Guarantano said. “For me to be able to come out and start and get this opportunity again, I didn’t have any option but to come out here and play my best ball.
“It just felt good being able to start again.”
Guarantano passed for a career-high 415 yards against Missouri, becoming the third Tennessee quarterback in history to throw for 400 yards. He spread the ball around the field to Marquez Callaway, Jauan Jennings and Josh Palmer — all of whom had at least 100 yards receiving.
The Vols (6-5, 4-3 SEC) beat the Tigers (5-6, 2-5) 24-20 to clinch a bowl berth behind the best passing effort since Vols coach Jeremy Pruitt arrived in Knoxville.
“We had some fun out here today,” Guarantano said.
Guarantano had not started since Sept. 21 at Florida, when he was benched at halftime. Freshman Brian Maurer started three games since. Redshirt freshman J.T. Shrout started one and Jennings started one in a wildcat formation.
Guarantano played in all six games, helping Tennessee win consistently and making a case to be the starting quarterback again. Pruitt turned back to Guarantano at Missouri because of his recent play, understanding of the offense and experience.
“We’ve got confidence in him,” Pruitt said. "The guy has played good. He’s got everything you want to be a good quarterback. And tonight was far and away his best game.”
The performance for Guarantano and his trio of experienced wide receivers came against the nation’s No. 6 pass defense and the SEC's best.
Missouri allowed 165.9 yards per game entering Saturday. Tennessee had 243 by halftime, making the most of some advantages Guarantano felt the Vols had as they studied Missouri during a bye week.
“We watched them against Georgia and Florida,” Guarantano said. “They loaded the box. They wanted to stop the run. We said, ‘Okay, we think our receiving corps can really make a lot of plays out there.’ They really did that.”
The trio of wide receivers combined for 17 receptions for 349 yards and two touchdowns. Jennings couldn’t name the best catch, saying “all three” had the best catch. Callaway pegged a 33-yard catch by Palmer that ended with a major collision as the best.
“He got his butt blasted,” Callaway said.
Palmer led Tennessee and had a career-high 124 receiving yards. Callaway had a touchdown catch and also set a career-high with 110, while Jennings had 115 and a tackle-breaking touchdown.
“I think all three of them know that they’ve been in a physical game,” Pruitt said. “They caught balls across the middle. Think about the catches they made going across the middle. Anyone can catch it running to the sideline. Our guys, they made all the catches tonight.”
Callaway, Guarantano and Jennings all credited Tennessee’s coaches with putting the passing game in a position to succeed against Missouri. Guarantano singled out the play calls from offensive coordinator Jim Chaney as key, especially on third down. Guarantano was 10 for 13 passing for 163 yards and eight first downs on third downs.
“He has been a great quarterback for us in the last four or five games,” Jennings said. “He is going to keep doing that.”
If Guarantano does, he surely will hold onto the starting spot he finally reclaimed after months of waiting.
“I am just thankful they gave me another shot,” Guarantano said.