Trending news sets eyes on Neyland Stadium for Saturday’s rendition of the annual Orange and White game.
For reasons other than the game, the college football world has left Knoxville trending. Former starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava is not with the team anymore after disputes with Name, Image and Likeness left head coach Josh Heupel with the decision to not move forward with the once highly touted signal-caller.
Now, it is time for Jake Merklinger and George MacIntyre — the only two rostered quarterbacks — to take the field and prepare for a long season ahead.
The game is expected to last slightly north of an hour, with practice-like periods featuring 1-on-1s before a scrimmage atmosphere takes place.
Follow along for pieced-together updates from Neyland Stadium.
Drive one: George MacIntyre takes the first offensive snaps. Justin Baker lines up at running back.
Baker runs for 13 yards.
Baker runs for two yards.
MacIntyre pass complete to Radarious Jackson for five yards.
False start on Tommy Winton III.
MacIntyre runs for 12 yards.
MacIntyre pass complete to Jackson for two yards.
MacIntyre runs for six yards.
Baker runs for two yards.
MacIntyre pass complete to Cole Harrison for two yards.
MacIntyre pass complete for 26-yard touchdown to Jackson.
MacIntyre goes 4-for-4 for 35 yards and touchdown on the opening drive.
Drive two: Jake Merklinger takes the field for the first time.
Merklinger pass incomplete.
Merklinger sacked by Jeremiah Telander.
Merklinger pass complete to Travis Smith Jr. for 22 yards.
Merklinger scrambles for two yards.
Merklinger pass incomplete.
Merklinger pass incomplete.
Merklinger pass incomplete, turnover on downs.
Merklinger goes 1-for-5 with 22 yards passing.
Drive three:
Star Thomas loses two yards on the rush.
Thomas runs for eight yards.
MacIntyre loses four yards on the sack.
Ross punts to the five-yard line.
Drive four:
MacIntyre runs for two yards.
MacIntyre pass complete to DaSaahn Brame for 18 yards.
Hunter Barnes runs for one yard.
MacIntyre pass incomplete.
MacIntyre pass complete to Brame for five yards.
Barnes runs for three yards.
MacIntyre pass incomplete.
MacIntyre pass incomplete.
MacIntyre pass complete to Kyle Miller 12 yards
MacIntyre run for one yard.
Barnes run for two yards.
MacIntyre runs for 12 yards.
Barnes run for five yards.
MacIntyre pass complete to Amari Jefferson for seven yards.
False start on the offense.
Barnes run for six yards.
MacIntyre pass complete to Jack Van Dorselaer for 3-yard touchdown pass.
MacIntyre up to 9-for-12 for 80 yards and two touchdown passes.
Drive five:
Merklinger pass complete to Ethan Davis for 10 yards.
Merklinger pass incomplete.
Peyton Lewis run for no gain.
Merklinger pass complete Trey Weary for 17 yards.
False start on the offense.
Merklinger pass complete to Weary for five yards.
Merklinger runs for four yards.
Merklinger pass incomplete.
Jakobe Thomas picks off Merklinger as he tries to fit it in double coverage to Braylon Staley.
Drive six:
Thoms runs for three yards.
Thomas runs for 23 yards.
Thomas runs for 10 yards.
Merklinger pass incomplete. Pass interference on the defense.
Merklinger pass incomplete.
Thomas loses one yard on the carry.
Merklinger pass complete for 25-yard touchdown to Van Dorselaer.
Halftime: Orange 14, White 7
MacIntyre is 9-for-12 for 80 yards and two touchdowns at the intermission. Merklinger is 5-for-12 with 79 yards a touchdown and an interception.
Drive seven:
MacIntyre pass incomplete.
Thomas run for 12 yards.
MacIntyre runs for five yards.
MacIntyre completes pass to Van Dorselaer for eight yards.
Baker runs for two yards.
Baker runs for 14 yards.
MacIntyre pass complete to Jackson for 32 yards.
MacIntyre loses two yards on the run.
MacIntyre pass complete for 4-yard touchdown to Van Dorselaer.
Drive eight:
Merklinger pass complete to Brame for three yards.
Merklinger sacked for a loss of four yards.
Merklinger sacked for a loss of four yards.
Josh Turbyville hits 47-yard field goal. Max Gilbert hits 47-yard field goal.
The game is over.
Orange 14, White 14
Quarterback turmoil
Iamaleava and Tennessee football are expected to move on from each other, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported.
Head coach Josh Heupel informed the team of the decision to move on during meetings on Saturday morning.
The news comes after initial reports surfaced that Iamaleava was in active contract negotiations, seeking a bump in his NIL contract on Thursday. When Friday morning rolled around, Iamaleava skipped the team’s practice and did not inform the staff of his absence.
Now, with the spring transfer portal opening on Wednesday, April 16, Iamaleava is expected to depart from the Vols.
Iamaleava’s departure comes ahead of the Vols’ annual Orange and White game, an intrasquad scrimmage to end spring practices on Saturday.
That leaves two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster as Tennessee heads into 2025. Jake Merklinger is the presumed starter for the time being as he has taken backup reps throughout the spring. Merkinger is a redshirt freshman who passed for 48 yards in two games last season. Brentwood, Tennessee, native and true freshman George MacIntyre is the other signal caller left in the room.
“Learning from Gaston last year, you never know when the opportunity comes so approaching every day like you are the starter, approaching my teammates like I’m the starter,” Merklinger said earlier this spring. “I think that is really important.”
