KNOXVILLE – The passer’s pocket took shape around Jarrett Guarantano, shielding Tennessee’s quarterback from the threats that swirled around him.
In this case, offensive linemen weren’t providing the protection. And the danger wasn’t posed by pass rushers. Instead, the fallout from Guarantano’s uneven play in UT’s two losses was hounding him and he sought refuge with his family, girlfriend and friends. He convened a second team of sorts.
“Just being able to go to them and get away from this stuff, it really helps me a lot,” Guarantano said.
“It can be rough out there sometimes, but I’m very happy I have the support system that I do.
As for the football team, Guarantano thanked UT head coach Jeremy Pruitt last Saturday for being steadfast with his tough love. On Tuesday, the quarterback said that he and offensive coordinator Jim Chaney both benefitted prior to last Saturday’s game against Chattanooga from trying to “dig deep into each other’s minds.”
“Every single play, we had a thought process through it and we went through it,” he said. “I think it helped me a lot and I think it also helped him to get into my mind.”
Guarantano detailed the extent of his support after completing seven of eight passes for 142 yards and a career-high three touchdowns in the 45-0 victory over the Mocs. His performance allowed his second set of linemen to stand down for the time being. The debuts of backups Brian Maurer and J.T. Shrout last Saturday also served notice that, regardless of any performance issues, Guarantano clearly is UT’s best quarterback.
Later last Saturday, Guarantano even resurfaced on Twitter, albeit with altruistic intentions. He asked for prayers from Florida quarterback Feleipe Franks and his family. Franks had suffered a dislocated ankle in the third quarter against Kentucky and was carted off the field in obvious pain and anguish.
The awful injury ended Franks’ season and, in turn, created the most compelling quarterback storyline for Saturday’s game between the No. 9 Gators (3-0) and Tennessee (1-2) at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.
Kyle Trask replaced Franks and led the Gators back from an 11-point deficit to a stirring 29-21 victory in Lexington, Ky. The 6-foot-5, 239-pound redshirt junior completed his first four passes and went 9-for-13 for 126 yards. He ran for a TD and, while being tackled, managed an option pitch to Lamical Perine for another score.
Florida had 216 yards of offense through three quarters against Kentucky before finishing with 222 yards in the final quarter with Trask in charge.
Trask’s play certainly got Pruitt’s attention.
“This guy is plenty capable,” he said. “We saw it the other night. They were very efficient in what they did. They didn’t really change much of who they are. The guy is plenty capable. He’s a big, strong guy that’s got a good arm and he’s physical in the run game.”
Trask is poised to make his first start on Saturday since playing for the junior varsity team at Manvel (Texas) High. Florida coach Dan Mullen joked on Monday during his press conference that if he sensed Trask was nervous, redshirt freshman Emory Jones could take the first snap to relieve the pressure.
Seriously, Jones likely will be an option. He’d present a different challenge with his running ability. The Gators apparently had a package of plays ready for him against Kentucky but Trask’s play sufficed.
Tennessee doesn’t have the same sort of options behind center. But at least the Vols’ best option has emerged from his protection feeling better about himself and his play.
“There were definitely some trying times and tough times,” he said. “I learned more about myself in these past two weeks and these trying times than I ever had. I don’t think I ever really went through something like that. I’m happy to get over the hump and start feeling like myself again.”
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Dan Fleser is a 1980 graduate of the University of Missouri, who covered University of Tennessee athletics for the Knoxville News Sentinel from 1988-2019. He may be reached at danfleser3@gmail.com