All throughout this past week, Tennessee’s quarterback situation has been shrouded in mystery. Head coach Jeremy Pruitt said on Wednesday that freshman Brian Maurer would be a “game-time decision” after suffering a concussion in the second quarter of the Vols’ 20-10 win over Mississippi State last Saturday.
Now, Tennessee has reportedly decided on who will start against No. 1 Alabama tonight.
According to long-time Knoxville reporter Jimmy Hyams, Maurer will be good to go for Tennessee’s rivalry match-up with Alabama tonight, and he’ll get the start instead of redshirt junior Jarrett Guarantano. Hyams also noted that redshirt senior linebacker Darrell Taylor will be limited due to a hamstring injury.
Tennessee will start Brian Maurer at QB tonight v. Alabama. OLB Darrell Taylor (hamstring) is limited. LB Henry T. will miss first half due to targeting v. Mississippi State. DB Trey Flowers out for year with broken ankle
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) October 19, 2019
Maurer has started Tennessee’s last two games after Pruitt elected to pull Guarantano from the starting role after the first four games of the season. But against Mississippi State last weekend, Maurer suffered a concussion in the second quarter and was held out the remainder of the game. Guarantano filled in and played well while managing the offense, going 6-of-7 for 106 yards, a touchdown, and no turnovers.
But Maurer is reportedly well enough to start, and he’ll make his first road start of his Tennessee career against Alabama.
No. 1 Alabama has won 12-straight games over the Vols dating back to Tennessee’s last win in the series in 2006. The Tide are a perfect 6-0 in 2019 and are averaging 51 points a game. Alabama has won every game this season by at least 19 points and has eclipsed the 40-point mark in every single tame.
On the season, Maurer has completed 22 of his 48 passes for 364 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions. He also has a rushing touchdown and 29 rushing yards on 17 attempts.
