On Saturday, Tennessee held its first scrimmage in Neyland Stadium. Below are the high points.
- The success of the running game was one of the big surprises on Saturday and a big reason the offense outperformed the defense. Surprisingly, it wasn’t Bryce Brown or Daivd Oku that led the way, it was Tauren Poole. Poole scored three times on the day: a 20-yard middle screen from Jon Crompton, and runs of 75 and 44 yards. He finished with 144 yards on eight carries.
- Mike Strange pointed out that Poole’s pass reception was against the first team defense, but on both touchdown runs, Poole eluded non-scholarship defensive backs.
- Lane Kiffin wasn’t surprised by Poole’s performance. “He shows up every time we come in here,” Kiffin said. “We don’t limit anybody. He’s an example of a guy who’s not played very much but who continues to play well. If he beats those guys out and performs better than all of them, he’ll be the No. 1 guy.”
- In addition to Poole, Bryce Brown (50 yards on 11 carries), David Oku, and Bradon Warren also had touchdowns on Saturday.
- When he arrived at Tennessee earlier this year, Lane Kiffin informed everyone that the incoming freshman would get the opportunity to compete for playing time. Several are making the most of that opportunity. After practice, Kiffin specifically named Marsalis Teague, Nu’KeeseRichardson, Bryce Brown, and David Oku as his ‘heralded offensive foursome‘.
- The quarterbacks have struggled with turnovers and poor decision making during the first four days of practice, but on Saturday, both played well. Jonathan Crompton was 11-of-14 for 178 yards while Nick Stephens went 9-of-13 for 100 yards. More importantly, neither threw an interception on the afternoon.
- Rico McCoy, Brent Vinson and Wes Brown did not practice. McCoy was on the sidelines with a barbell working on his curls — seriously. Art Evans left the game and was later spotted on the sidelines with ice on his knee. Eric Berry only played one series, not because he’s injured, he’s just simply that good. He strolled the sidelines most of the afternoon.
- John Adams points out that Saturday’s scrimmage was likely the earliest first full scrimmage that Tennessee has had in recent memory. Just as unusual: the offense out-playing the defense in the first scrimmage.
- If you have some time on your hands, sort through the Saturday Practice and Observations from scrimmage threads.
- Be sure to check out the utsports video.