Vols coach Butch Jones on frustration of another close loss: 'It's one of those years'

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Just like last year, Tennessee tried to save a football game by throwing a Hail Mary pass on the game's final play.

And just like last year, the Vols completed the heave.

But this isn't last year.

Adams:After Vols' loss to Kentucky, what is John Currie waiting for?

Jarrett Guarantano's rainbow throw into Kentucky's defense fell into wide receiver Jeff George's arms. But unlike Joshua Dobbs' game-winning toss to Jauan Jennings against Georgia in 2016, George was tackled at the 3. Instead of a UT celebration, there were sullen expressions and the anguish of a 29-26 loss to the Wildcats Saturday night at Kroger Field.

"It's one of those years," UT coach Butch Jones said. "I've never been through anything like this in 30-plus years.

The particulars were all that changed as Tennessee (3-5, 0-5 SEC) suffered its fourth consecutive loss. The offense, which had been slumbering for more than a month, showed some scoring life, producing two touchdowns and 445 yards of total offense.

More:Kentucky 29, Tennessee 26: 5 things we learned

The Vols were without suspended running back John Kelly, the team's leading rusher and the SEC leader in total all-purpose yards and yards from scrimmage. Yet Tennessee still rushed for 203 yards. Freshman Ty Chandler rushed for a career-high 120 yards and scored both touchdowns.

Chandler's 1-yard scoring run with 8:37 left in the second quarter ended 15-plus quarters without a touchdown for Tennessee, a streak that lasted 231 minutes, 48 seconds and extended back to the second quarter of 17-13 victory over UMass on Sept. 23.

The defense, meanwhile, forced and recovered four Kentucky fumbles.

The sum of these feats, though, was not enough.

More:Tennessee football offense, turnover margin, penalties stand out in loss to Kentucky

Tennessee forced four turnovers but converted those into three Brent Cimaglia field goals.

"It's what you do with the football once you get it," Jones said. 

Penalties also undermined the Vols' effort. The were whistled for nine for 54 yards. For the third time this season, an offensive drive reached the opposition's 1, only to be undermined by a motion penalty. In this case, center Coleman Thomas was called for a snap infraction on second down. The Vols eventually settled for a field goal on the drive rather than score a touchdown against the Wildcats.

"Pre-snap penalties are catastrophic," Jones said. "Can't have it."

An unusual event also ended up hurting UT. After a first-quarter scuffle between both teams on a kickoff, all players from both teams were assessed personal foul penalties.

"I didn't understand it," UT defensive tackle Kendal Vickers said.

A second personal foul was called on Tennessee defenders Daniel Bituli and Rashaan Gaulden, resulting in their ejections. Bituli left in the second quarter. Gaulden, meanwhile, left during Kentucky's game-winning drive, which covered 72 yards and erased a five-point deficit. Fifty-six of the yards came via the run.

"At the end we wanted it to be on the defense's shoulders," Vickers said. "We wanted to be in that position. We didn't execute on that last drive and we paid for it."

Jones said the outcome "falls on my shoulders."

He commended his team's determination.

"Is that a team that had quit? No," he said. "Is that a team that had given up? No."