Orange (Defense) Rallies To Beat White (Offense), 54-44

DB Sutton Returns Fumble 20 Yards For Touchdown

  • Saturday, April 25, 2015
  • Special to Chattanoogan.com
Tennessee freshman quarterback Quinten Dormady (12) hands off to junior college transfer running back Alvin Kamara during Saturday's Orange and White game at Neyland Stadium. Dormady completed 5-of-11 passes for 96 yards and one touchdown.
Tennessee freshman quarterback Quinten Dormady (12) hands off to junior college transfer running back Alvin Kamara during Saturday's Orange and White game at Neyland Stadium. Dormady completed 5-of-11 passes for 96 yards and one touchdown.
photo by Dennis Norwood

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The White-clad offense put on a show in Tennessee’s spring football game on Saturday afternoon, but it was the Orange-shirted defense that took home the victory, 54-44, in front of an announced crowd of 63,016 at Neyland Stadium.

Coach Butch Jones was impressed with the Vols' collective performance on Saturday compared to two years ago.

"It's like night and day," he said. "We have a very high standard and expectation here.

We are still nowhere close to where we need to be. I am going to challenge our second- and third-string individuals.

"Everyone uses the term chasing greatness. What is chasing greatness? You have to get up and chase greatness every day. The day you take off, it becomes further and further from you. That's the mindset you have to have with this football team. We don't have the competitive depth the premier teams have. Are we getting there? Yes, but we have a long way to go and that is why a lot of our individuals have to have a great summer and move forward."

The first-team offense scored on each of its first three possessions, with big plays factoring prominently into each drive. Joshua Dobbs hit Johnathon Johnson for 37 yards on the opening drive to put the White in business inside the 15. Back-to-back rushes by Dobbs set up a 2-yard touchdown run for Alvin Kamara.

Dobbs found Alton Howard for a 31-yard gain on the second possession, but a sack by Jalen Reeves-Maybin for 10-yard loss on 3rd down seemed to put a stop to the scoring threat. ButAaron Medley stepped up and nailed a 55-yard field goal to make the first team two-for-two on scoring drives.

"I'm very excited moving forward, both on offense and defense," Dobbs said. "We installed a lot of good things and are playing with a lot more tempo and control. You can see it. Everyone is playing with a lot more confidence."

Dobbs has made a concerted effort to own the Vols’ offense in 2015 and Jones has certainly noticed his “take-charge” attitude that has taken the junior signal caller to a different confidence level.

“That was evidenced in the quarterback challenge,” Jones said. “That isn’t just for entertainment, those are evaluation tools. He’s got a lot of confidence in himself and the players around him. The mark of great players is how they elevate the play of other players.”

Jones has a healthy regard for Dobbs’ taking over the offense and having the quarterback situation settled after spring.

“You can’t put a price on experience,” Jones said. “Especially in this conference. Where my sleepless nights are is who’s gonna be number two and number three. In the world of college football, you need more than one quarterback on your roster. Who’s going to develop into those positions. Josh is going to be in charge of  throwing this summer and some other things.”

Jalen Hurd made his presence felt on his first carry of the afternoon to open the third possession for the first team with a 26-yard run up the near sideline. After a pass interference call moved the White 15 yards closer, Hurd broke a 13-yard run to set up a Dobbs-to-Ethan Wolf connection for a 15-yard TD.

After a pause for a wide receiver-defensive back drill in which the defensive backs won all seven matchups, Quinten Dormady found his stride on his second possession as Volunteer QB, hittingJosh Malone in stride for a 65-yard, one-play drive that put the White team up 33-18.

"It was fun to get to compete with the guys," Dormady said. "We got to go at it with each other, which was fun. I am happy with how I did. It was a great feeling being in the stadium with all those people. It was like everything I had heard and more."

The Orange was able to fight back right way. With the Dobbs and the first team offense back on the field, a trick play went awry, as Cam Sutton grabbed a fumble in mid-air on a double reverse and raced 20 yards for a touchdown that brought the Orange within 33-31.

"We happened to be in man (coverage) on the play," Sutton said. "I saw my man going away and just trying to get the ball. When you're doing things right, things go your way. I was able to make the play and start the defense."

Jauan Jennings added to the offensive show with a 45-yard touchdown run on the final play of the opening half.

"I just saw a little opening," Jennings said. "I took it and once I saw the end zone I couldn't stop."

Jennings was asked the progress he's made since spring drills began.

"I see a big difference," he said. "Just one thing I have to work on throwing the ball better. The competitiveness and the want to win are still there. With those key intangibles, you can have a winning quarterback."

As part of the halftime activities, Dobbs came up with a clutch performance in the quarterback skills challenge, hitting a target on his final throw to defeat Dormady, 8-7.

The day kicked off with the Circle of Life drill, which matched offensive and defensive players for single points. A.J. BraniselChance Hall and Austin Sanders came away with wins for the offense, with Andrew Butcher and Charles Mosley picking up points for the defense. A point was awarded to the Orange for a defense-on-defense draw between Evan Berry and Todd Kelly, Jr.

Spring awards were announced at halftime.

The Al Wilson Leadership Award for defense went to Sutton, while Dobbs earned the InauguralPeyton Manning Leadership Award for offense. The Harvey Robinson Offensive Player Award was given to Jashon Robertson, the Andy Spiva Defensive Player Award to Rashaan Gaulden.Malik Foreman, Robertson and Kendal Vickers were named winners of the John Stucky Award.Johnathon Johnson took home the 63 Award.

The subject of wide receiver Von Pearson’s indefinite suspension for his alleged part in a rape came up during Jones’ press conference.

“We’re not going to tolerate it,” Jones said. “It’s inexcusable. We have tremendous kids in this football program. (The Pearson situation) is unfortunate, and that’s all I’m going to say.”

Jones was also asked about the spring game being a recruiting showcase (several top prospects were in attendance).

“It’s all about recruiting,” the coach said.

Team Statistics (Final)
2015 Tennessee Spring Football
White vs Orange (Apr 25, 2015 at Knoxville, Tenn.)

Team Totals

WH

OR

FIRST DOWNS

17

0

Rushing

9

0

Passing

7

0

Penalty

1

0

NET YARDS RUSHING

160

0

Rushing Attempts

43

0

Average Per Rush

3.7

0.0

Rushing Touchdowns

2

0

Yards Gained Rushing

218

0

Yards Lost Rushing

58

0

NET YARDS PASSING

195

0

Completions-Attempts-Int

11-24-0

0-0-0

Average Per Attempt

8.1

0.0

Average Per Completion

17.7

0.0

Passing Touchdowns

2

0

TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS

355

0

Total offense plays

67

0

Average Gain Per Play

5.3

0.0

Fumbles: Number-Lost

1-1

0-0

Penalties: Number-Yards

0-0

2-20

PUNTS-YARDS

5-219

0-0

Average Yards Per Punt

43.8

0.0

Net Yards Per Punt

39.8

0.0

Inside 20

2

0

50+ Yards

0

0

Touchbacks

1

0

Fair catch

4

0

KICKOFFS-YARDS

4-231

2-128

Average Yards Per Kickoff

57.8

64.0

Net Yards Per Kickoff

45.2

51.5

Touchbacks

2

1

Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD

0-0-0

0-0-0

Average Per Return

0.0

0.0

Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD

0-0-0

0-0-0

Average Per Return

0.0

0.0

Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD

0-0-0

0-0-0

Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD

0-0-0

1-20-1

Miscellaneous Yards

0

0

Possession Time

47:18

12:42

1st Quarter

13:48

1:12

2nd Quarter

14:10

0:50

3rd Quarter

8:57

6:03

4th Quarter

10:23

4:37

Third-Down Conversions

6 of 15

0 of 0

Fourth-Down Conversions

0 of 2

0 of 0

Red-Zone Scores-Chances

2-3

0-0

Touchdowns

2-3

0-0

Field goals

0-3

0-0

Sacks By: Number-Yards

0-0

5-35

PAT Kicks

4-4

1-1

Field Goals

1-2

0-0

Points off turnovers

0

7

 

Individual Statistics

Individual Statistics
White

 

Orange

RUSHING

No.

Gain

Loss

Net

TD

Lg

Avg.

Jennings, J.

9

67

9

58

1

45

6.4

Sparks, J.

12

52

1

51

0

12

4.2

Hurd, J.

3

40

0

40

0

26

13.3

Kamara, A.

10

34

15

19

1

10

1.9

Dormady, Q.

1

6

0

6

0

6

6.0

Turner, K.

1

0

5

-5

0

0

-5.0

Dobbs, J.

7

19

28

-9

0

7

-1.3

Totals...

43

218

58

160

2

45

3.7

 

RUSHING

No.

Gain

Loss

Net

TD

Lg

Avg.

Totals...

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.0

 








 








 








 








 








 








 








 



PASSING

Cmp-Att-Int

Yds

TD

Long

Sack

Dormady, Q.

5-11-0

96

1

65

0

Dobbs, J.

5-8-0

94

1

37

4

Jennings, J.

1-5-0

5

0

5

1

Totals...

11-24-0

195

2

65

5

 

PASSING

Cmp-Att-Int

Yds

TD

Long

Sack

Totals...

0-0-0

0

0

0

0

 






 






 






 



RECEIVING

No.

Yds

TD

Lg

Howard, A.

3

49

0

31

Malone, J.

2

80

1

65

Johnson, Jo.

2

47

0

37

Rochell, J.

2

6

0

5

Wolf, E.

1

15

1

15

Branisel, A.J.

1

-2

0

0

Totals...

11

195

2

65

 

RECEIVING

No.

Yds

TD

Lg

Totals...

0

0

0

0

 





 





 





 





 





 





 



PUNTING

No.

Yds

Avg

Long

In20

TB

Daniel, T.

5

219

43.8

49

2

1

Totals...

5

219

43.8

49

2

1

 

PUNTING

No.

Yds

Avg

Long

In20

TB

Totals...

0

0

0.0

0

0

0

 







 



 

Punts

Kickoffs

Intercept

ALL RETURNS

No

Yds

Lg

No

Yds

Lg

No

Yds

Lg

Totals...

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

 

 

Punts

Kickoffs

Intercept

ALL RETURNS

No

Yds

Lg

No

Yds

Lg

No

Yds

Lg

Totals...

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

 



ALL PURPOSE

Rush

Rcv

KR

PR

IR

Total

Malone, J.

0

80

0

0

0

80

Jennings, J.

58

0

0

0

0

58

Sparks, J.

51

0

0

0

0

51

Howard, A.

0

49

0

0

0

49

Johnson, Jo.

0

47

0

0

0

47

Hurd, J.

40

0

0

0

0

40

Kamara, A.

19

0

0

0

0

19

Wolf, E.

0

15

0

0

0

15

Rochell, J.

0

6

0

0

0

6

Dormady, Q.

6

0

0

0

0

6

Branisel, A.J.

0

-2

0

0

0

-2

Turner, K.

-5

0

0

0

0

-5

Dobbs, J.

-9

0

0

0

0

-9

Totals...

160

195

0

0

0

355

 

ALL PURPOSE

Rush

Rcv

KR

PR

IR

Total

Totals...

0

0

0

0

0

0

 







 







 







 







 







 







 







 







 







 







 







 







 







 



FIELD GOAL ATTEMPTS

Medley, A.

1st

06:00

33 yards

Missed

Medley, A.

1st

02:41

55 yards

Good

 

FIELD GOAL ATTEMPTS

 



 



 



KICKOFFS

No.

Yds

TB

OB

Avg.

Bullock, G.

2

101

1

1

50.5

Medley, A.

2

130

1

0

65.0

 

KICKOFFS

No.

Yds

TB

OB

Avg.

Medley, A.

2

128

1

0

64.0

 






 



 

FUMBLES: White-Kamara, A. 1-1. Orange-None.

 

Defensive Statistics

Defensive Statistics (Final)
2015 Tennessee Spring Football
White vs Orange (Apr 25, 2015 at Knoxville, Tenn.)

##

White

Solo

Ast

Total

TFL/Yds

FF

FR-Yds

Int-Yds

BrUp

Blkd

Sack/Yds

QBH

 

##

Orange

Solo

Ast

Total

TFL/Yds

FF

FR-Yds

Int-Yds

BrUp

Blkd

Sack/Yds

QBH

29

Berry, Ev.

5

4

9

1.0/2

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

0G

Kelly Jr., T.

4

2

6

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

21

Reeves-Maybin

5

.

5

2.0/15

.

.

.

.

.

2.0/15

.

36

Bryant, G.

3

1

4

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

52

Butcher, A.

2

2

4

1.5/9

.

.

.

.

.

1.0/7

.

26

Griffin, S.

2

1

3

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

1C

Moseley, E.

2

1

3

.

.

.

.

1

.

.

.

41

Berry, El.

1

2

3

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

53

Jumper, C.

1

2

3

1.0/2

.

.

.

1

.

.

.

0C

Tuttle, S.

2

.

2

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

37

Randolph, B.

2

.

2

.

.

.

.

1

.

.

.

40

Mixon, D.

1

1

2

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

17

Bates, D.

1

1

2

1.0/1

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

78

Mosley, C.

1

1

2

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

58

Williams, O.

1

1

2

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

42

Weatherd, C.

1

.

1

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

TM

TEAM

1

.

1

1.0/5

.

.

.

.

.

1.0/5

.

90

Folger, C.

1

.

1

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

22

Foreman, M.

1

.

1

.

.

.

.

1

.

.

.

39

Vickers, K.

1

.

1

1.0/8

.

.

.

.

.

1.0/8

.

20

McDowell, C.

.

1

1

0.5/3

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

23

Sutton, C.

.

.

.

.

.

1-20

.

.

.

.

.

 

 

Defensive back Emmanuel Moseley, right, and wide receiver Josh Malone battle for a pass Saturday during one-on-one drills in the end zone. Malone caught two passes for 80 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown.
Defensive back Emmanuel Moseley, right, and wide receiver Josh Malone battle for a pass Saturday during one-on-one drills in the end zone. Malone caught two passes for 80 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown.
photo by Dennis Norwood
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