Tennessee got the road win at Arkansas, and George MacIntyre got his first career start under center in the process. The sophomore quarterback helped guide the Vols to a 24-17 victory, then walked through the night with reporters afterward.
MacIntyre said he felt good about the offense overall, while also making clear there’s still cleanup ahead.
“Yeah, first off, super excited to have my first start today. I think overall, we did a good job on offense moving the ball. I think there’s things I need to clean up, things the team needs to clean up heading into a big week next week.”
One of the biggest moments of the game came on a third-down connection with Braylon Staley in the third quarter, a play MacIntyre said helped swing the energy back Tennessee’s way.
“Yeah, I think that play was huge. You could definitely feel the momentum shifting.
Thought Braylon did a good job staying alive. Kind of got into almost like a scramble drill situation, buying a little time.
And I trusted my guy, and he made a play for me.”
For a first-time starter, MacIntyre said the nerves never really took over.
“I would say pretty even-keeled. At the end of the day, it’s just football.
I’m obviously super excited and grateful to be out there today. But yeah, I would say more locked in than nervous.”
When Arkansas pushed momentum in the third quarter, MacIntyre said his message on the sideline was simple: keep control of the game and lean on the offensive front and run game.
“Yeah, I was just saying, guys, this is our game. This is our time to go take it.
Really just trying to pump up the O-line, the running game, especially on that last drive. You know, we needed a couple first downs to kill some time, stuff like that.
I thought DaSaahn Brame responded really well. Had, obviously, the big play down the sideline, and then ran the ball in for a little rushing touchdown.
So yeah, that was the message.”
He also said the week leading up to the start felt different in one important way: more reps with the first unit and more chances to settle into the full game plan.
“I think I always prepare like a starter, even at the beginning of the season. But just getting the starting reps in practice is big.
Getting the chemistry out there with the guys with the new install every week. Kind of just really getting to rep it all week long.
It makes me feel a lot more confident.”
In Other News...
Tennessee's Quarterback Situation Just Got More Uncertain Before Arkansas
Tennessees quarterback picture has become even murkier heading into the trip to Arkansas, with Faizon Brandon now dealing with an injury and listed as questionable for the game. The uncertainty adds another layer to a position that was already under a spotlight after Brandon was benched in the previous game against Auburn, when George MacIntyre stepped in and gave the Volunteers a steadier look through the air.
Josh Heupel acknowledged Brandons injury status but stopped short of mapping out how Tennessee will handle the position this week. That leaves the Volunteers waiting on two fronts: whether Brandon can get healthy in time, and whether the staff chooses to lean back toward MacIntyre after his efficient relief work against Auburn. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee's Playoff Margin Could Shift Before The Alabama Game
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UCLAs trip to Oregon, Houstons matchup with Kansas State and, most notably, Alabama against Georgia all carry ripple effects for Tennessees playoff standing. The Vols do not play Georgia this season, so the Bulldogs remain part of the broader conversation only from a distance, but Alabama is still very much in front of them on the schedule and in the committee conversation. By the time Tennessee gets its shot at the Crimson Tide, the playoff margin could already look different. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Has A Clear Arkansas Opportunity If The Vols Can Deliver
Tennessee heads into its SEC matchup with Arkansas with a blueprint in hand, and the film from the Razorbacks loss to Texas A&M points to an opening the Vols will want to press. Tennessees spread offense and run game have been the focus of the prep work, with DeSean Bishop set to be a central figure as the Vols try to stress a defense that showed vulnerabilities in its most recent outing. It is the kind of game plan that can travel well if Tennessee can stay on schedule and force Arkansas to defend the full width of the field.
George MacIntyre is expected to make his first career start, which adds another layer to a game Tennessee already views as an opportunity. Arkansas still brings a defense coordinated by Jim Knowles, so the challenge is not hard to identify, even if the tape suggests some cracks to attack. For the Vols, the question is whether they can turn those areas into a real advantage on the road, and whether MacIntyres debut can stay steady enough to let the rest of the offense do its work. [Read more 🡒]