Score: Orange 14, White 14, FINAL
Tennessee football is back at Neyland Stadium on Saturday afternoon as they put a bow on spring practice with the 2025 Orange & White game.
Capacity at Neyland Stadium is limited to 45,000 people as construction continues on at Neyland Stadium this offseason. Still the scrimmage gives fans a chance to watch the 2025 Tennessee football team ahead of the season opener on Aug. 31 against Syracuse at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The story of the day is the absence of quarterback Nico Iamaleava who is parting ways with the Tennessee football program after two seasons including one as the starting signal caller. That leaves only redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and early enrollee freshman George MacIntyre as Tennessee’s quarterbacks on roster. Both will get an abundance of work in Saturday’s Orange & White game.
Tennessee expects to be down a number of key players in its spring game as they play things cautiously at the end of spring practice.
The game is not streaming anywhere this season due to the construction at the stadium. So stay tuned to RTI for live updates of the scrimmage.
RTI’s injury updates and LIVE drive-by-drive update thread of Tennessee’s Orange & White game is below.
Players That Are Inactive Or Not Dressed Out
-QB Nico Iamaleava
-LEO Mariyon Dye
-CB Jermod McCoy
-DB Jourdan Thomas
-WR Chris Brazzell
-LB Arion Carter
-LB Jaedon Harmon
-LB Jadon Perlotte
-DE Jamal Wallace
-DT Daevin Hobbs
-DE Jayden Loftin
-DT Nathan Robinson
-LEO Caleb Herring
-DE Emmanuel Okoye
-LEO Christian Gass
-TE Miles Kitselman
-OL Jeremias Heard
-OL Gage Ginther
-OL Jesse Perry
-DB Marcus Goree Jr.
-S Christian Charles
More From RTI: What To Know About Tennessee Quarterback Jake Merklinger
Receiver/Tight ends 1v1 with DBs
Tennessee opened the scrimmage with some one-on-one reps. Here’s a few highlights.
-Jake Merklinger connected with both Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley on slants.
-Freshman DB Timothy Merritt intercepted a George MacIntyre on throw behind Radarious Jackson.
-MacIntyre struggled to connect with receivers during his portions.
Moving to the red zone
-Merklinger throws a nice back shoulder ball to Cole Harrison.
-Merklinger connects with Alabama transfer Amari Jefferson on a beautiful fade.
-Merklinger connected Mike Matthews on a fade.
7-on-7
-Merklinger connected with Matthews on a 35-yard touchdown on a fade route
-Andre Turrentine intercepted a Merklinger throw over the middle that sailed over Matthews.
-Freshman linebacker Brenden Anes intercepted a MacIntyre pass on a tip drill.
-MacIntyre completed a handful of short passes to Jack Van Dorselear and Jackson.
Field Goal Kicks
– Max Gilbert connects on kicks from 46, 37 and 35 yards
-Josh Turbyville misses from 31 and 46 yards. Hits from 38 yards.
11-on-11 Scrimmage
Drive One (White):
- George MacIntyre in at QB
- 9 play, 65 yard touchdown drive
- MacIntyre to Radarious Jackson for a 26-yard touchdown on a fade.
- Justin Baker had a 12-yard run.
- -MacIntyre had a 10-yard scramble to move the sticks
Drive Two (Orange):
- Jake Merklinger in at QB
- 7 plays, 24 yards, turnover on downs
- Jeremiah Telander sacked Merklinger.
- Merklinger threw a beautiful ball to Travis Smith Jr for a 22-yard completion on 3rd-and-15
- Merklinger sailed a fourth down throw.
Drive Three (White):
- George MacIntyre in at QB
- 3 plays, 4 yards, punt downed at the 5-yard line
- Jordan Ross sacked MacIntyre on third down. Pressure from a number of spots.
Drive Four (Orange):
- George MacIntyre in at QB
- 16 play, 75 yard touchdown drive
- MacIntyre to tight end Jack Van Doreselaer for a three-yard touchdown.
- MacIntyre found Ryan Miller for 12 yards on fourth down.
- MacIntyre scrambled for 12 yards to move the chains on third down.
Drive Five (White):
- Jake Merklinger in at QB
- 8 plays, 32 yards
- Drive ends when Jakobe Thomas interception on a fourth down arm punt from Merklinger.
- Trey Weary made a great catch over the middle for 18 yards on third down.
Drive Six (Orange):
- Jake Merklinger in at QB
- 6 play, 75 yard touchdown drive
- Merklinger to Van Doreselaer for a 25-yard touchdown.
- Peyton Lewis had a 22-yard run.
- Pass interference moved the sticks on a throw from Merklinger to Travis Smith.
HALFTIME BREAK
Drive Seven (White)
- George MacIntyre in at QB
- 9 play, 75 yard touchdown drive
- MacIntyre four-yard touchdown pass to Van Dorselaer.
- Radarious Jackson one-handed catch for 34 yards set up the score.
Drive Eight (Orange)
- Jake Merklinger in at QN
- 3 plays, -3 yards
- Ethan Utley sacks Merklinger on third down.
Max Gilbert and Josh Turbyville each hit 47-yard field goals to end the scrimmage.
