Vols QB Jarrett Guarantano gets encouragement from South Carolina QB Jake Bentley

Knoxville

Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) runs the ball as Tennessee defensive back MaLeik Gatewood (33) tackles him during the Tennessee Volunteers vs South Carolina Gamecocks game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, October 14, 2017.

Jarrett Guarantano sat by himself on the Neyland Stadium turf Saturday in the moments after Tennessee lost to South Carolina on Saturday

But he was not alone for long. South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley left the celebration with his teammates and darted over to his opponent to pick him up and offer a word of encouragement.

“I was very upset, visibly," Guarantano said. "I remember Jake from when I was younger. We met, I think, freshman year of high school. He was just was telling me, ‘great game’ and ‘that was a great competition' and just keep my head up."

Guarantano made his first start for Tennessee (3-3, 0-3 SEC) on Saturday. He was 11-of-18 passing for 133 yards in the 15-9 loss to the Gamecocks (5-2, 3-2).

The redshirt freshman helped lead the Vols on a frantic drive in the final 1:13, starting at the Tennessee 25. He was at his best on that drive, connecting with Marquez Callaway three times and hitting Brandon Johnson for a big 39-yard gain.

But his final pass was incomplete, barely out of Johnson's reach, and the aftermath left Guarantano dejected and sitting near the 25 as the Gamecocks celebrated.

“I told him to keep his head up," Bentley said. "He had a heck of a game. He’s a heck of a player and he’s going to have a long career as a quarterback in this league, so you can’t get down after one game.

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“Just keep his head up and move forward.”

Bentley can relate to Guarantano's situation, as he cracked the starting lineup at South Carolina midway through the 2016 season and made his second career start against Tennessee.

South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley (19) attempts to evade Tennessee defense during the second half of a Tennessee vs. South Carolina game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.

On Saturday, that understanding meant Bentley offering a helping hand to Guarantano, who praised the classy gesture from his counterpart.

"I have a lot of props for him," Guarantano said. "Last year, he did the same thing. He got the win versus us. I think that he’s great player and he’s going to continue to do great things.”