Tennessee’s backfield showed flashes of potential in Saturday’s Orange and White game, but the greatest catalyst may have been the tailback without a scholarship.
Walk-on sophomore David Yancey, playing both sides in the annual spring scrimmage, seemed to be the boost the inept corps from a year ago needed.
“He’s a worker, that’s for sure,” UT running backs coach Trooper Taylor said. “He’s got fire, and that’s what you need back there.”
The Vols other tailbacks have began to feel the heat. When Yancey began rattling off six and seven yard gains, seniors Cedric Houston and Jabari Davis began to run just a little harder.
Houston’s longest run of the day for 24 yards and Davis’ for 20 both came after Yancey replaced them in the backfield.
“I think that he has (motivated the other backs),” Vol offensive coordinator Randy Sanders said. “He’s a great football player … (His play) is a great motivator for the other guys.
“They see where they’ve got to get their game to.”
Houston and Davis finished with better numbers, going for a combined 177 yards and a touchdown, but competition won’t hurt the running game, according to Vol coach Phillip Fulmer.
The 12th-year coach said the UT offense wouldn’t be looking for a tailback-by-committee approach, so whoever survives as the starter should be ready.
“I hope we have enough running backs that they all can play and play well,” Fulmer said. “I’m expecting somebody to come to the forefront and hopefully lead us in rushing.”
Banks waiting: Several Vol receivers shined in the Orange and White game, while Tennessee’s leading catcher from a year ago stood in the shadows.
Junior James Banks paced the sidelines in street clothes still serving a suspension.
“James has some responsibilities he’s got to do,” Fulmer said. “He does those and he’ll be back on the team.”
Catching on: Redshirt freshmen receiver Robert Meachem looked impressive in his first day of live contact in more than a year. The Oklahoma native caught two passes for 65 yards, including one for 42.
“I haven’t been tackled in a long time,” he said. “It feel pretty good.”
Easy being Greene: Freshman defensive back Ben Greene gave the Vol return game a spark with injured starter Corey Larkins out.
The Jonesboro, Ga., native returned three kickoffs for 127 yards, with one for 62 yards.
Eating well: Meachem said the 21-21 tie didn’t bother him or most of his teammates.
“They said whoever wins gets steak and whoever loses gets hotdogs,” he said. “I’m a steak man myself, so either way, everybody’s happy.”
