KNOXVILLE – An entire offseason and the first five games of the 2017 season failed to bring clarity to Tennessee’s quarterback situation.
So did Butch Jones’ weekly news conference Monday.
Jones shied away from naming a starter for Saturday’s game against South Carolina and discussed the preparation of both quarterbacks as he met with reporters for the first time since the Volunteers (3-2) concluded their off-week practices.
Quinten Dormady has started all five games and thrown for 925 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions. Backup Jarrett Guarantano has appeared in three games, passing for 54 yars and one TD.
Jones expressed after Tennessee’s 41-0 loss to Georgia that all starting positions, quarterback included, would be up for grabs during the off week.
“We tried, just like every other position group, tried to manufacture as many game-like conditions as possible from coming out to one-minute, to driving the football to the red zone and really try to put them in those situations,” Jones said Monday. “We’ll continue to compete just like anyone else, and we’ll see how this week of preparation goes.”
Whoever plays quarterback Saturday will have Marquez Calloway available as a target. Callaway, who went out of the Georgia game after falling hard to the turf, has been scarcely targeted since the season opener, but the sophomore has eight receptions for 198 yards and three touchdowns.
“He’ll be out at practice today,” Jones said Monday, “so that’ll be big for us not only from offensive standpoint but from a special teams standpoint as well.
‘Catastrophic mistakes’
Despite giving up just five sacks this season, the offensive line has struggled at times to give the quarterbacks time and provide running lanes for junior running back John Kelly.
On Monday, Jones addressed the issues with the linemen and what they need to improve on.
“I think it’s not just one particular position,” Jones said. “It’s just consistency in performance and the ability to execute over a 12-play drive, over a 10-play drive, being able to execute in critical moments in situational football and all 11 individuals working together as one.
“Because, when you bring the film on, there’s a lot of good things that happen. But the mistakes we’re making have been catastrophic mistakes that cost you from doing well, and it costs you games from turnovers to not executing in situational football.”
The coaches haven’t found a consistent group of offensive linemen yet. Redshirt senior Brett Kendrick has played three positions, including both tackle slots. He played left guard against Georgia while sophomore Marcus Tatum started at right tackle.
“I guess I can really just play it all,” Kendrick said Monday. “I think I’m kind of settling down into left guard for the moment being, for today I guess.”
Alabama time 3:30
Tennessee’s Oct. 21 game at Alabama will start at 3:30 p.m. EDT and be televised on CBS, the network announced Monday. It will be the Vols’ third game in the Southeastern Conference’s premier television slot this season.
Contact Rob Harvey at rharvey@timesfreepress.com.