By Josh Kendall
InsideTennessee.com
August 10, 2010
Tennessee held its first scrimmage of the preseason inside Neyland stadium today, and head coach Derek Dooley saw about what he expected.
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�It was a typical first scrimmage,� said Dooley. �I think if there is one lesson coming out of this, it�s that if you aren�t mentally ready to play you are going to get your tail whipped.�
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That was an apparent reference to defenders who were dominant in spring practice but struggled early against a surprisingly effective offense on Tuesday.
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Dooley was encouraged by the play of his quarterbacks, junior Matt Simms and freshman Tyler Bray.
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�I was really pleased with the progress the quarterbacks are making,� said the coach. �They are both really doing well and they are both different.�
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Simms completed 9 of 21 attempts for 80 yards and one touchdown with a long of 30 yards.
Bray completed 11 of 22 attempts for 153 yards and a touchdown with a long of 49 yards.
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Running back Tauren Poole continues to perform well, breaking a 49-yard gallop only to be caught just short of the end zone by safety Prentiss Waggner.� Poole finished with two carries for 62 yards and a touchdown.
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Once known as Wide Receiver U, Tennessee is trying to become punter U.� The Volunteer punters averaged more than 44 yards per punt Tuesday. Senior Chad Cunningham is battling freshmen Matt Darr and Michael Palardy for the starting job.
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�We punted three guys, and every one of them averaged over 44,� Dooley said. �We�ve got some talented punters."
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Injury Notes: Starting safety Janzen Jackson was withheld from the scrimmage with a strained hamstring. He should be available when practice resumes Thursday.
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Practice Notes: Tennessee will be off Wednesday, then hold its first two-a-day session on Thursday. The next scrimmage will be Saturday night.
