Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel addresses 2nd fall scrimmage
If you’re looking for a starting quarterback announcement, Tennessee football’s second fall scrimmage was not the determinant.
The Vols took the field at Neyland Stadium for the second time this fall with kick-off two weeks away. It was another opportunity to perform in a game-like setting, and there is still more work to be accomplished, according to Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel.
“We got some growth that we got to go get before we go kick off, but excited about what I saw,” Heupel said. “Some back and forth during the course of it, and that’s what you want at this time of year.”
There were plenty of talking points, and more to be asked about the quarterback battle, as well as the new apparel deal. Here are some takeaways from what Heupel had to say to the media on Friday.
The expectation for a starter to be named at quarterback should not be anytime soon. Tennessee football still has 15 days until kickoff and two weeks of mock preparation ahead.
Friday was not the day for the news to break.
“I like what all those guys have done,” Heupel said.
Joey Aguilar and Jake Merklinger might have narrowed the competition to a fighting two-man battle, with freshman George MacIntyre needing an outstanding finish to camp to steal away the gig.
“Thought both of them handled themselves extremely well,” Heupel said. “George did as well. I thought they’d taken strides during the last three practices, before we got inside of the stadium for today’s scrimmage.”
Aguilar still appears to be the leader of the pack, coming in with the desirable starting experience. Tennessee continues to harp on the quarterback needing to have command and control of the offense.
As game week sits a mere two weeks away, Aguilar is fitting in more comfortably in that role.
“I thought he handled himself extremely well,” Heupel said. “That’s today, but I think he’s got better, from day one up until today’s scrimmage. Really every single day. Comfort and control. He’s handled himself extremely well during our night walkthroughs, which is mental focus, mental sweat. And because of that, he’s extremely comfortable in what we’re doing right now.”
