For the first time in nearly a year, Tennessee was able to celebrate a win over an SEC opponent.
The Vols (2-4, 1-2 SEC) used a suffocating defensive performance against Mississippi State (3-3, 1-2 SEC) to earn a 20-10 victory in Neyland Stadium on Saturday. Tennessee held Mississippi State’s Kylin Hill, the SEC’s leading rusher, to just 13 yards on 11 carries, and the Vols foced three turnovers in the game. Not only that, but UT totaled seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss on the afternoon.
Tennessee’s offense was very conservative, especially after starting quarterback Brian Maurer went down with a concussion in the second quarter. But redshirt junior and former starter Jarrett Guarantano did enough to manage the offense and made some nice plays in relief. Guarantano connected with Tyler Byrd for the decisive 39-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to give Tennessee a 20-10 lead. That would end up being the final score.
After the game, Tennessee’s players were jubilant after UT’s first SEC win since November of 2018.
Take a look at our videos of the Vols celebrating on the field and with fans after Tennessee’s 20-10 victory over Mississippi State:
As an added bonus, here are some clips and photos from the official Tennessee Twitter account of celebrations both on the field and in the UT locker room:
Let’s check in on the locker room … pic.twitter.com/XEcXoom0BG
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) October 12, 2019
“Thank you to all the fans that pulled up! LET’S GO!” #PoweredByTheT pic.twitter.com/wsTWBc3pGA
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) October 12, 2019
#VolNation: There’s none better ? pic.twitter.com/13bbErsSzJ
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) October 12, 2019
