Tennessee spring game recap
Harrison Bailey looks like the top dog during an offensive explosion, while a depleted defense has work to do.
By: Bossman Slim
Photo: Calvin Mattheis, Knoxville News Sentinel
We expected the Ole Miss game to feature plenty of points with that porous defense, but the offensive explosion on Rocky Top was a bit more unexpected. Maybe having former Vol Alvin Kamara in the house lit a spark, but whatever it was, this one came out of left field. It didn’t help that the defense was missing a few key players, but still more points than we expected coming into this one.
In our one burning question blog, we wondered aloud if any of the QBs would separate themselves on Saturday and look like they could be the starter trotting out in game one. That question was answered, as there seemed to be a clear 1-2-3 pecking order. It’s one scrimmage game and one performance, but Harrison Bailey looked like the guy to beat going 12/15 for 260 yards and 2 TDs. He threw several deep balls that hit their target, with two turning into those touchdowns. Bailey looked comfortable in the new Heupel system and proved he can take shots down the field and connect.
Brian Maurer also played well posting a 9/15 for 171 and 1 TD stat line. The key for Bailey and Maurer is that neither threw an INT, while Virginia Tech transfer Hendon Hooker threw a pick-six. Hooker looked the least comfortable of the three, though he did lead a few calm and collected drives that resulted in TDs. While it wasn’t flashy for Hooker, his poise and game management will be one chip he has to play in the QB battle.
Maurer had a respectable day that kept him firmly in the competition. (Photo: Calvin Mattheis, Knoxville News Sentinel)
The other beneficiaries of all those points were the running backs and wide receivers. Heupel was hoping to see something out of his backs after losing Eric Gray and Ty Chandler to transfer in the offseason. Early enrollee freshman Jaylen Wright showed up to play, rushing three times for 16 yards and a 7-yard TD run. Sophomore Jabari Small was the best of the bunch, getting 12 carries for 48 yards and 2 TDs. Fred Orr also posted 83 yards on 10 carries. Altogether, the Vols rushed for 248 yards.
Not to be outdone, the wide receivers posted ridiculous numbers as well. The 6’5 hometown kid Jack Jancek put up NCAA Football ‘14 numbers, catching two balls for 137 yards and a touchdown. Velus Jones also caught a TD and added 72 yards, while Cedric Tillman was Mr. Reliable with 5 receptions for 67 yards and 1 TD. That TD was the game-winner from Hooker.
In fairness to the defense, this was their JV squad. Eight players on defense did not play and two are suspended. Linebackers Henry To’o To’o and Quavaris Crouch are in the transfer portal, so this was a skeleton crew for Tennessee.
The big takeaway from the Orange and White game was that Harrison Bailey seems to be coming into his own and might just take control of this competition. Maurer and Hooker look like they could start for Tennessee, and it will be interesting to see if Joe Milton does eventually decide to don the block T helmet. Right now, our money is on Bailey. As for the defense, Tennessee needs to make big strides in the next four months if they have any shot of surprising people this fall.