Tennessee football’s annual Orange and White game took place in Neyland Stadium on Saturday.
It was the conclusion of spring practices, culminating in a chance for each of the players to perform in front of a limited capacity crowd.
The format of the scrimmage began with practice-like drills, including 1-on-1s for quarterbacks and receivers. Then it transitioned into a full 11-on-11 scrimmage where eight total drives took place.
There were no live stats available, nor a broadcast stream to follow. Here are stats accumulated by The Daily Beacon staff that reflect what happened during the scrimmage portion of the afternoon.
Quarterbacks
The biggest position group to watch on Saturday showed up to the field with a lot to be learned. After eight drives, there is still a lot to be seen from two quarterbacks with a combined two games of experience and nine total pass attempts.
True freshman quarterback George MacIntyre showed promise as the first guy to take snaps in the scrimmage portion. He led a 10-play, 65-yard scoring drive to open. The drive was capped with a strike to the corner of the endzone to fellow freshman receiver Radarious Jackson for the 26-yard score.
After the opening drive, MacIntyre was a perfect 4-for-4 with 35 yards and a touchdown. His next drive did not see as much success as the offense went three-and-out without a single passing play.
MacIntyre’s next two drives that ensued ended up in the checkerboards. On the team’s fourth overall drive, MacIntyre led a 16-play, 75-yard scoring drive ending with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Jack Van Dorselear. The next time MacIntyre took the field, he capped a nine-play, 75-yard scoring drive with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Van Dorselaer.
His day concluded at 124 passing yards and a trio of touchdowns on 12-for-16 passing. MacIntyre added an additional seven rushes for 35 yards.
Jake Merklinger operated with the “starters” for the majority of the scrimmage, but also saw reps with other groups. His day was not as efficient as MacIntyre’s, but there was still room for growth.
He operated four drives as well, but only one of them ended in a score. His lone scoring drive was capped with a 25-yard score on a catch-and-run that the defender missed on, allowing Van Dorselaer to take it the rest of the way.
Merklinger’s low-light of the day came on the team’s fifth drive when he took a deep shot into double coverage to Braylon Staley. Jakobe Thomas secured both hands on the ball that was overthrown for an interception.
His day was less efficient at a mark of 6-for-14 with 82 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Pass catchers
The young group of receivers and tight ends proved to be a big part in helping the quarterbacks out on Saturday. While dropped passes were an occasional plague, some younger guys also stood out.
Chris Brazzell II did not play with an injury designation, so that left more opportunities to stand out. Jackson is the one who made the largest impact in his time on the field.
The Memphis native posted four catches for 65 yards and a touchdown. Aside from the highlight touchdown, Jackson mangled a spectacular one-handed catch down the sideline that went for 32 yards.
Freshman tight end Van Dorselaer was the other prize in the group of pass catchers. He went for 40 yards on four catches, hauling in three touchdown passes.
Fellow freshman tight end DaSaahn Brame added another three catches for 26 yards in the outing.
Running backs
After losing Dylan Sampson to the NFL Draft, Tennessee’s running back room was met with youth. The Vols experimented with their youth by playing with a committee approach on Saturday.
Sophomore running back Peyton Lewis did not play, while redshirt sophomore — and presumed lead-back — Desean Bishop failed to record a stat.
Duke transfer Star Thomas was the leader of the pack. He burst out for a team-leading 44 yards on six carries. Freshman running back Justin Baker followed with five carries for 33 yards. Meanwhile, walk-on running back Hunter Barnes rounded out the group with five carries for 17 yards.
