COLUMBIA — After months of speculation, the 2020 Southeastern Conference football season is finally here, and things did not start well for Tennessee early.
The defense surrendered a long drive that resulted in a 3-yard run by South Carolina’s Kevin Harris.
The Volunteers followed that up with a drive that stalled and a nearly costly special teams gaffe, when punter Paxton Brooks had to attempt a fake after corralling a bad snap.
But the defense stopped the Gamecocks cold.
Tennessee then answered when Jarrett Guarantano culminated a long scoring drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge to tie the game, 7-7, with 3 minutes, 7 seconds remaining in the opening frame.
The Big Orange took a 14-7 lead when linebacker Henry To’o To’o intercepted a pass from South Carolina graduate transfer quarterback Collin Hill, and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown.
The Vols will get the ball to start the second half.
First Word from @CoachJPruitt after the 1st half, courtesy of @FirstHorizonBnk pic.twitter.com/c5U0vMogOo
— Vol Network (@VolNetwork) September 27, 2020