University of Tennessee Athletics
Day 14 - Vols' New Quarterbacks Get Feet Wet in Scrimmage
August 21, 2004 | Football
Aug. 21, 2004
SCRIMMAGE STATS | PHOTO GALLERY
FULMER POST-PRACTICE | FULMER INTERVIEW WITH BOB KESLING
DB ALLEN | WR BROWN | WR TINSLEY
FULMER | QB AINGE | QB SCHAEFFER
Tennessee's Saturday scrimmage at Neyland Stadium ended in a downpour, but not before freshmen quarterbacks Brent Schaeffer and Erik Ainge made a splash in their first co-starting roles.
Schaeffer actually took the field first, and after a quick three-and-out, led the offense on a smooth 40-yard drive. The Deerfield Beach, Fla., native hit his first big completion to Tony Brown on a 25-yarder that put the offense in field goal position.
Ainge completed his first four passes for 46 yards before being sacked by fellow freshman James Turner. That unit settled for a 32-yard field goal from James Wilhoit.
"I think they both did fine," head coach Phillip Fulmer said. "We put them in several situations. I was scared to death in goal line snaps because that's something we haven't done before.
"Both of them did some good things. We're going to have to live with some of their shortcomings as far as experience but I think it's obvious to everybody they're pretty talented."
For the afternoon in full-field scrimmage play, Schaeffer was 14-of-22 for 186 yards and a touchdown. The scoring strike of 22 yards on a rainbow to Derrick Tinsley capped an eight-play, 65-yard drive. Ainge, a Hillsboro, Ore., product, finished 12-of-18 for 125 yards to go with an interception and a touchdown. Jonathan Wade made the pickoff, while Tony Brown was on the TD receiving end to cap a big day for the senior captain.
Brown led all receivers with six catches for 66 yards, just ahead of Tinsley's five for 59. Chris Hannon had three catches for 53 yards and David Yancey had three for 21.
Newcomer Arian Foster was the rushing leader in his scrimmage debut, carrying seven times for 52 yards. Gerald Riggs Jr. added a touchdown, while Jabari Davis and Riggs were especially tough in the goal line situations, scoring two times apiece. Cedric Houston added 26 yards on six attempts.
"I'm really pleased with Foster," Fulmer said. "He's got fresh legs while everybody else is kind of dead. But he's got some juice to him."
Defensively, Wade paced all tacklers with five to go with his interception. Kevin Burnett added a pair of sacks, while Jon Poe had three tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery. Other highlights went to Turk McBride (4 tackles), Daniel Brooks (3 tackles, 1 PBU), Corey Campbell (3 tackles), Jonathan Hefney (3 tackles) and Inky Johnson (interception).
"I'm really proud of what Dan Brooks has done with those inside people," Fulmer said. "We just need another one or two to come through for us or they're going to have to be in the best shape of their lives because they may play the whole game."
Former starting quarterback C.J. Leak saw his first scrimmage action at safety, making a tackle, recovering a fumble on the day's final play and drawing loads of praise from his head coach.
"We got C.J. some work on defense and he's flying around out there," Fulmer said. "What a great attitude. You talk about a guy who's been just a tremendous joy to be around. I really appreciate him so much."
Starting Lineups
The offense started Arron Sears and Richie Gandy at tackle, Rob Smith and Cody Douglas at guard, with Jason Respert at center; Justin Reed was the tight end, with Cedric Houston at tailback and Brent Schaeffer behind center; Chris Hannon, Derrick Tinsley and Tony Brown were the receivers. Cory Anderson came off the bench as the first fullback.
Defensively, Parys Haralson and Karlton Neal began at the ends, with Jesse Mahelona and Justin Harrell at the tackles; Jason Mitchell, Jon Poe and Kevin Burnett were the linebackers; Jason Allen and Roshaun Fellows started at cornerback, with Brandon Johnson and Corey Campbell at the safeties.
Holdouts
LB Robert Ayers (shoulder), TE Brad Cottam (shoulder), FB David Holbert (head), WR Robert Meachem (knee), LB Kevin Simon (ankle), DB Antwan Stewart (knee), OT Albert Toeaina (knee), OL Eric Young (knee).
Scrimmage Injuries
WR Bill Grimes (knee), OL David Ligon (ankle).
