Sutton's steal highlights Vols' spring game

The University of Tennessee's head coach Butch Jones works with his players during the Dish Orange & White Game in Knoxville on Saturday, April 25, 2015. Final score was Orange 54, White 44.

KNOXVILLE -- Cam Sutton was in the right spot at the right time.

The Tennessee cornerback expects that to become a more frequent occurrence.

In what was the highlight play of the Volunteers' annual Orange and White Game, Sutton darted into the backfield and basically intercepted a pitch on a would-be double reverse and turned it into a defensive touchdown.

The play ultimately became the difference as the defense prevailed 54-44 under a modified scoring system.

"For the most part, it was a good defensive call and a good situation that we're in," Sutton said after Tennessee wrapped up spring practice. "We just happened to be in man (to man). I saw my guy going away and just tried to tail the ball and tried to get to the ball. When you're going things right, things go your way often, and I was just able to make a play."

As a sophomore in 2014, Sutton intercepted three passes, broke up 16 others and recorded four tackles for loss while handling Tennessee's punt-return duties, but those numbers and his reputation didn't land him on the All-SEC team at the end of the season, something he admitted would fuel him this offseason.

Sutton wants to become the best corner in the SEC, and plays like the one he had Saturday will get him closer to that goal.

"Great players find a way to make plays," Vols coach Butch Jones said. "Great players are always around the football. We always talk to our players: 'When you play with great effort, you get the bounces. For some reason, the ball just bounces your way. The ball finds you when you play with great effort.'"

Attendance report

Tennessee estimated a crowd of 63,016 was in attendance for Saturday's spring game, the program's third under Jones. It's the third-highest attendance in Vols spring-game history. For the three spring games under Jones, the average announced crowd is 64,213.

Among college football's spring games this year, Tennessee's crowd was the fifth-largest overall behind Ohio State (99,931), Nebraska (76,881), Penn State (68,000) and Alabama (65,175).

Receivers wanted

The defensive backs dominated the end-zone one-on-one period against the receivers by winning all seven reps and getting a hand on the ball every time. Emmanuel Moseley broke up two passes.

Sutton, Malik Foreman, Evan Berry, Devaun Swafford and Todd Kelly all got into the fun as Tennessee's most competitive position group finished spring strong.

The University of Tennessee's Alvin Kamara (6) attempts to shake himself free during the Dish Orange & White Game in Knoxville on Saturday, April 25, 2015.

Of course, there's always a flip side to spring practice, too.

"I thought our defensive backs did a great job of knocking the ball out," Jones said. "We've got to find some receivers that can catch the football and advance the football. I was not particularly pleased with that area, but they'll get it right."

The Vols basically practiced all spring without Marquez North (shoulder) and Jason Croom (knee) due to injury, and Von Pearson missed Saturday after he was suspended Friday amid a police investigation into an alleged rape in which he was identified as a suspect.

"They've had some good days, and we've asked a lot them because we've been limited in numbers at the receiver position," Jones said. "(Receivers) Coach (Zach) Azzanni does a great job. We have very, very good kids out on the perimeter. I know they will come back exceptionally strong."

'Wide open' at MLB

Jones said Tennessee's race at middle linebacker remains "wide open," though he singled out redshirt freshman Dillon Bates for how he played Saturday.

The competition this spring was the fullest, as freshman Darrin Kirkland and sophomore Jakob Johnson were both out with injuries.

"When we get Kirkland back, when we get Johnson back, that's really going to help us," Jones said. "That'll add to the competitive depth that we talk about. ... But we need some individuals at that position to have great summers to step up for us in August camp."

Former Baylor School standout Colton Jumper had extensive action with the second-team defense and finished with three tackles, one for loss and a pass breakup to cap a solid spring for the walk-on.

McNeil missing

Safety LaDarrell McNeil joined the list of absences as the Vols held him out after he pulled a hamstring earlier in the week, though Jones indicated he could have played if Tennessee was playing a real game Saturday.

Kelly began the game with the first-team defense at safety alongside Brian Randolph and finished with six tackles. Evan Berry led the defense with nine tackles on the day. Sutton was the first-team nickel corner with Moseley and Foreman playing on the outside.

Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.