COLUMBIA — Tennessee had a night of first on the gridiron Saturday.
For starters, the Volunteers nabbed a 24-20 victory over Missouri and the Big Orange is now bowl eligible for the first time in three seasons. That was the primary reason for celebration.
But the road was paved with several offensive feats for the Vols (6-5 overall, 4-3 in the Southeastern Conference).
Tennessee, which struggled to run the ball as it has many times in 2019, but the passing game was especially potent against the Tigers (5-6, 2-5).
Redshirt junior quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, who has stepped up his game of late after being much maligned during the campaign.
But he had the best game of his career against a Missouri team that has been reeling down the stretch.
Guarantano was 23-for-40 for 415 yards and two touchdowns. It was the first time since 2012 that a UT quarterback threw for at least 400 yards since Tyler Bray did in 2012.
That was also against the Tigers, who won the game in Knoxville 51-48 in four overtimes and then-head coach Derek Dooley (now Missouri’s offensive coordinator) would be fired before the end of the season.
Saturday also represented a big night for the UT receiving corps, as three receivers went over 100 yards for the first time in school history.
Josh Palmer had six receptions for 124 yards. Jauan Jennings had five catches for 115 yards and a touchdown while Marquez Callaway amassed 110 yards and had a score on six catches.
The Vols also overcame some adversity in the form of two blocked field goals and a fourth-quarter fumble and now, the Big Orange is going bowling.