Harrison Bailey, Florida’s sluggish start draw plenty of attention from fans and media in first half
By Keith Farner
Published:
Tennessee QB Harrison Bailey got the start on Saturday against Florida and gave the Vols something they hadn’t had in a while on offense: a spark.
The fan base loved it, especially when he led the Vols to a 7-3 lead. But it also caused some fans and media to note that coach Jeremy Pruitt waited too long to put Bailey in a game for significant meaningful minutes instead of incumbent starter Jarrett Guarantano.
For a game that was nearly a three-touchdown spread in Vegas betting lines, the first half proved to be more entertaining than many figured.
Tennessee sacked Florida QB Kyle Trask twice, and the Gators also missed a field goal attempt. Another nine-play drive ended with a punt.
For Tennessee, the Vols showed some fight after they’ve had 18 players miss practice the past 2 weeks with COVID issues, not to mention their record is 2-5.
Here’s a collection of the first-half reaction on social media:
All-American ➡️ All-American
Former All-Americans Harrison Bailey (2020) and Eric Gray (2019) connect for 6️⃣#GoVols 🍊 #AllAmericanBowl 🇺🇸
— All-American Bowl (@AABonNBC) December 5, 2020
I did not expect Jeremy Pruitt to be ballsier than Dan Mullen today.
— G. Allan Taylor (@GAllanTaylor) December 5, 2020
Yeah all this is showing is that Pruitt committed coaching malpractice for not playing Harrison Bailey sooner
— Caitlin (@caitnoelleault) December 5, 2020
Harrison Bailey’s drive shows the value and development by Chris Weinke and why he’s essential to keep around
— Jimmy Pruitt’s Burner (@UTCoach_JPruitt) December 5, 2020
According to tweeter #vols QB #HarrisonBailey is looking good….@CoachJPruitt didn’t play him sooner bc Coordinator Cornbread is a defensive coordinator and doesn’t give 1 iota bout the offense. @phillipfulmer should fire @CoachJPruitt today! Go #vols and #FireCornbread
— Craig (@RockyTopSkiBum) December 5, 2020
Florida has had a couple of opportunities to really crank up the pressure on Tennessee. So far the Gators have let Vols off the hook a few times today.
— Seth Varnadore (@SethVarnadore) December 5, 2020
this florida & tennessee game way more entertaining than i thought it would be
— code Q ❄️ (@_pick6ixx) December 5, 2020
Florida looks unfocused, now they miss a Field Goal, Tennessee isn’t this good BUT it is a #SEC Rivalry game. Gators better wake up if they want to make sure the #CFB Playoff committee doesnt hold it against them #Gators #Vols #CollegeFootball
— Josh Hennig (@JoshHennig) December 5, 2020
Best case scenario for Tennessee right there… But even if Florida Had scored 6 on that drive I still like the call from Pruitt.. you’ve lost 5 in a row, it’s your rival, leave it all on that damn field.
— Bandit Benjamin. (@TheBanditUGA) December 5, 2020
Bro not Florida STRUGGLING against Tennessee. Love to see it🤟🏾
— jordan ✌🏾 (@Earth_Jordan) December 5, 2020
Tennessee really needs a TD drive here. Ain’t going to keep this Florida offense quite all game.
A TD drive here and people will start to believe…….
— Mike (@MikeL_LWOS) December 5, 2020
Either Delance didn’t know the snap count or he’s the worst offensive tackle in the history of football. pic.twitter.com/3Af3pal81q
— Derek Tyson (@DerekJTyson) December 5, 2020
At the very least, it’s good to see #Vols haven’t packed it in.
They’ve had 18 players missing practice the past two weeks with COVID issues. They’re 2-5. But they’re still playing hard. That’s something.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) December 5, 2020
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
