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3 takeaways from Vols 2018 DISH Orange and White Game

By Billy Williford

KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 18: Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers throws a pass against the LSU Tigers during the first half at Neyland Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 18: Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers throws a pass against the LSU Tigers during the first half at Neyland Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Vols Orange team dominated the Vols White team in a 34-7 thumping. Here are three takeaways from the Tennessee football program win.

Finally, Tennessee football fans were able to see a real football game played in April in Knoxville, Tennessee. Saturday’s Orange and White Game did not disappoint the crowd of around 65,000 fans.

The Orange team got on the board first with a Jarrett Guarantano’s two-yard touchdown pass to Marquez Callaway on third-and-goal. Callaway went up, and a grabbed it over the defender which is nothing new from last season.

After a field goal from Brent Cimaglia, Tim Jordan had a nice 29-yard run followed by a five-yard touchdown run to put the Orange team up 17-0.  Another Brent Cimaglia field goal gave the Orange team a 20-0 lead into halftime.

Tennessee Volunteers Football
Tennessee Volunteers Football /

Tennessee Volunteers Football

The second half was much of the same with the first-team offense dominating the first-team defense with the final score 34-7 in favor of the Orange team.

There were some good plays and some bad plays, but it is spring. One thing for sure is the players looked improved, especially the offense. Here are our three takeaways from the Orange and White Game.

1. Jarrett Guarantano looked comfortable

Quarterback, Jarrett Guarantano seemed really comfortable as he led the first-team offense to 34 points in the game. I know, it was just the spring game, but Guarantano looked in control and never was rattled. He ended the game 15-of-27 for 226 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

The numbers do not jump off the page either, but he looked better than the numbers tell. The only knock on Guarantano’s play could be he took a sack when running the four-minute offense. With more time in the offense and learning how to be a college quarterback, Guarantano will learn not to make that mistake.

2. The first-team defense did not look up to par

It is tough to tell but either the first-team offense is going to be respectable against SEC-level defenses next season or the first-team defense is not that good.

Guarantano was able to have his way with the defense as he found the tight end, Eli Wolf five times for 63 yards and one touchdown.

Josh Palmer had three catches for 77 yards and looked open all game long, and then there’s Marquez Callaway. Callaway had a relatively quiet game with only three catches for 30 yards, but he did have a touchdown grab.

The running backs also had a good game. Ty Chandler and Tim Jordan accounted for a combined 110 yards and two touchdowns.

3. The kicking game might actually be steady

Replacing Trevor Daniel will not be an easy task, but both Joe Doyle and Paxton Brooks got some decent punts off. Now, they are not going to be as good as Daniel next season, but they did not look far off.

Brent Cimaglia was another bright spot in the game. After a just going 8-for13 last season, Cimaglia nailed both of his field goal attempts today. He made a 41 and 43 yarder which helps build the confidence level in what has been a shaky Vols kicking game the past few years.

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