KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – According to multiple reports, Tennessee football head coach Josh Heupel has named George MacIntyre the starting quarterback for Saturday’s game at Arkansas for his first-career start. Pete Nakos of On3 reported first. MacIntyre entered the game in the second quarter against Auburn and completed 8-of-10 passes for 86 yards. MacIntyre answered the call at a moment’s notice and the offense flowed.
“When you get that call in the middle of a ball game, being able to flip the switch and get yourself ready to go play,” Heupel told Mike Keith Monday. “He was composed. He handled situational football extremely well, four-minute mode that we were in, draining some of the clock. He was decisive in the pass game and accurate in the pass game. So really liked a lot of what we saw from George.”
Faizon Brandon, who had earned the starting job over the offseason and fall camp, started the Vols’ first five games. Initially, he had a great start. Then, in Week 4 against Texas, Brandon was sacked 10 times and suffered what appeared to be a shoulder injury. Brandon exited but returned to finish the game. Heupel said last week’s practice was light for Brandon.
“Yeah, being limited in the early part of the week, certainly, those reps, those opportunities allow you to progress during the course of the week,” he said during Monday’s press conference. “I thought he did a really good job staying engaged, getting mental reps. We were making him take drops in the early part of the week, right behind the pocket. Ultimately, just everybody together, we weren’t playing our best football early. He’s a competitor, he’s extremely tough, he’s resilient, he’s a winner. And he’ll continue to bounce back from what he was doing.”
On Monday, Heupel was asked about the quarterback situation in a series of questions. He was in no rush to tell the media whether a decision had been made.
“We’ll find out as the week goes here,” Heupel said. “George came in and did some really good things. Faizon obviously wasn’t at his best dealing with getting injured in the Texas game. It was affecting his game. And we’ll go through the week here. You’ll find out Saturday.”
Now, it is Tuesday and the decision has been made.
No. 15 Tennessee and Arkansas kick off Saturday, Oct. 10, at 4:15 p.m. ET/3:15 p.m. CT at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The game will be televised on SEC Network with Matt Schumacker on play-by-play and Aaron Murray as analyst. Taylor Davis will report from the sideline.
