Tennessee was forced to play three quarterbacks in its 24-13 loss to Arkansas in Fayetteville on Saturday night.
Jarrett Guarantano helped guide Tennessee to a 13-0 halftime lead, but suffered a head injury on the second possession of the third quarter while trying to scramble for a first down. Guarantano was 5-of-8 for 42 yards before getting hurt. He had not thrown for a touchdown or an interception, while adding 31 rushing yards on five carries.
Brian Maurer got the first opportunity off the bench in the midst of Tennessee’s defense allowing 24 unanswered points to the Hogs. Maurer saw three possessions and all three resulted in a three-and-out, which resulted in his benching. He finished 0-of-4 passing.
“Brian (Maurer) came in and Brian ran around a little bit, but couldn’t get nothing going there so we went with Harrison (Bailey) there,” Vols head coach Jeremy Pruitt told reporters over Zoom following the game.
True freshman Harrison Bailey was the third and final quarterback to play. Redshirt sophomore J.T. Shrout didn’t make the trip to Fayetteville.
Bailey played the final two offensive possessions of the game for the Vols and both resulted in an interception on balls that were tipped into the air. On the first one, Bailey tried to find Jalin Hyatt over the middle of the field on a fourth-and-four, and Arkansas should have been called for pass interference. Bailey threw his second interception on a heave to the end zone on the final play of the game.
“We’re running four verticals and they’re dropping eight,” Pruitt said of Bailey. “He didn’t really try to force the ball. He took check downs, down the field. Based off the time there, he was going to have to force one in there. But it’s something he can learn from.”
Bailey finished the game 6-of-9 passing for 65 yards to go along with his two interceptions. He did not throw any touchdowns.
The Vols return home next Saturday to take on No. 7 Texas A&M. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The Aggies are coming off of a dominating 48-3 win over South Carolina on the road.
2 Responses
I just wish I had a ticket. Have been going to games since 1956. Since 1961 have been going with my Auburn husband and have only missed four. This one will be five if we don’t get a ticket. The four were. Two babies (one born on the day of the game) one out of country and one lived too far to go. Sure hope we get one this year. I am 83 and my husband is 88..doing good for old people. Enjoy your work with the Vols
I hope you can go because that is an incredible record of attending. You have been great VFLs