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Vols historic performance against Missouri clinches bowl bid

Jarrett Guarantano passed for a career-high 415 yards in Tennessee's 24-20 win over the Missouri Tigers on Saturday night.

COLUMBIA, Mo. — For the first time in program history, three Tennessee players recorded over 100 receiving yards in a game. Jauan Jennings (115), Marquez Callaway (110) and Josh Palmer (124) totaled 349 receiving yards in Tennessee's 24-20 win over the Missouri Tigers on Saturday night. 

Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano made the history-making performance possible, completing 23 passes for a career-high 415 yards. He also passed for two touchdowns. That was the first time a Tennessee quarterback passed for over 400 yards since 2012. 

"The guy has played good. He’s got everything you want to be a good quarterback. And tonight was far and away his best game," said head coach Jeremy Pruitt after the game.

Guarantano delivered when Tennessee needed third down conversions. Eight of Tennessee's nine third down conversions came from through the air. This includes a 20-yard pass from Guarantano to Jennings on third-and-18 in second quarter. Both of Guarantano's touchdown passes occurred on third down. 

As for Jauan Jennings, his 115-yard performance lifted him to sixth all-time in career receiving yards at Tennessee, ahead of Denarious Moore and Tim McGee.

With the win, the Vols are bowl eligible for the first time since 2016. After starting the season 1-4, Tennessee was on the road to another losing season. However, they have turned things around and have a winning record for the first time this season. 

"This season didn’t start off the way we anticipated. But with their leadership, these coaches, just kind of helping this team grow. This is why you get into coaching, to watch a team become a team," Pruitt said.

 According to ESPN's latest bowl projections, Tennessee is predicted to play Iowa in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Jan. 2. CBS Sports predicts the Vols to play Louisville in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30. 

Related: LIVE UPDATES: Vols look to clinch bowl bid at Missouri

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