Tennessee’s day-to-day mental outlook was a major concern with coach Derek Dooley.
His concerns were vanquished in the name of an Orange team 17-14 victory at the Orange and White Game on Saturday.
The win was just enough to show the competition, improvement and mental toughness Dooley was looking for. Dooley said he was encouraged by the players’ performances and efforts on the field.
“Well, I was real pleased with just the competitive matchup and the competitive part of the game,” Dooley said. “I thought our players played with a lot of toughness, good energy, good effort; they were into the game and it showed.”
With 106 rushing yards and two touchdowns, sophomore running back Marlin Lane was a major contributing factor in the Orange team’s success. Lane’s 19-yard opening-drive score led to an early 7-0 lead over the White team.
“I just wanted to come out this morning, execute every play, and play hard for my team and my side and dominate in the run game,” Lane said. “I focus on running physical and not worry about looking for holes and just reading the keys.”
On the ensuing drive, junior running back Rajion Neal scored on a 2-yard run for the White team. After the first two possessions ended in scoring drives, the 35,421 fans in attendance (fourth largest in Tennessee Orange and White history) were not to be disappointed.
On the final play of the first half, Lane scored on a 39-yard run to make the score 14-7 in favor of the Orange team. For Dooley, the play merely pointed out poor defense.
“(The play) was designed to get into field goal range,” Dooley said. “They were, I think, on about the 42 (yard line) and you knew they were going to be playing soft so if you get up to the 35, maybe you have a shot at a field goal. That was bad defense more than anything.”
Junior quarterback Tyler Bray threw a touchdown pass to tight end Mychal Rivera in the third quarter to tie the game at 14-14, but failed to follow up on the Orange team’s game-winning 37-yard field goal from Derrick Brodus.
The White team’s loss means a meal of hot dogs, chips and water with no ice during the team dinner on Sunday. Juxtaposed against the steak dinner the Orange team enjoyed, the hot dogs weren’t what the White team was hoping for.
Regardless of the disappointment, Bray said his improvement from last spring’s game was enough to camouflage his team’s loss. He finished Saturday 14-of-26 for 157 yards and a touchdown.
“I think I had more completions on the first drive than I did all last spring.” Bray said, referring to a 5-of-30 performance in last year’s spring game. “I did better, and our offensive line did better, and our receivers caught the ball.”
Bray’s performance in the game didn’t miss Dooley’s all-seeing eye. Dooley said that while Bray has more to develop, he’s made some progress and is working hard.
“I think he has had a good spring,” Dooley said. “He is a lot more patient, he’s understanding the game, he’s understanding the level of intensity that it takes every day to be good.”
Saturday’s scrimmage marked the Vols’ 15th and final practice this spring and stands as a gateway to the start of the fall season. Though spring practice has ended, preparation has only just begun.
“Overall, real pleased with the spring,” Dooley said. “Real pleased with the attitudes the players have had and the work ethic, and now we turn the page and get ready for real ball.”
