ForumsOver 61,000 Vol fans took part in Jones’ inaugural DISH Orange & White game, the second highest spring game attendance in Vol history
KNOXVILLE — For Butch Jones’ inaugural DISH Orange & White game, Pro-Bowler Arian Foster, among 500 other former players, made his return to Rocky Top.
He’s always been a VFL, but left the game with a new title: Disc Jockey.
DJ Foster was on the sidelines for the Orange’s 95-71 defeat of the White team, working the turntable, bobbing his head and scratching records in between plays before the second-largest O&W game crowd ever of 61,076.
It was truly a great day to be a Vol, as an astounding 25,000 people took part in Fan Appreciation Day before the game, getting autographs from Coach Jones and the Vol players.
During the heat of the game, young VFL’s and Duck Dynasty star and Vol fan Justin Martin got to pick a couple plays for the White Team. Martin had the lone successful play of the bunch, a 19-yard screen pass to Alden Hill.
The game featured an intriguingly high score, the highest of any Orange & White game in years past, because of the scoring system. The score bested the previous high of 110 combined points, a 60-50 win for the Orange in 2005.
Touchdowns, as usual were worth six points for White team (offense), but additional points were scored by +15 yard rushing plays and +20 yard passing plays.
For the Orange team (defense) touchdowns were worth 12 points, while turnovers counted for six points, and sacks, TFL’s and pass break ups counted for one point each.
The Orange Team took an early lead in the game, fueled by four sacks by freshman Corey Vereen and an interception by Brian Randolph.
Late in the second quarter, the White Team responded with back-to-back scoring drives. Justin Worley hit Cody Blanc for a 58-yard touchdown pass and then Michael Palardy ended the half with a 52-yard FG that doinked the crossbar and bounced over for three points.
The White team carried the momentum over into the second half, as Nathan Peterman hit Vincent Dallas with a 48-yard pass. However, it failed to convert on the drive as Patrick Toole missed a 36-yard FG attempt.
Early in the fourth period, Peterman hit Alden Hill with Martin’s called 19-yard screen pass, then completed a pass to Drae Bowles for a 15-yard gain. The White Team capped off the 11 play, 60-yard scoring drive with a Palardy 36-yard field goal.
The Orange Team took the lead for the final time with a 62-yard interception return for a touchdown by walk-on Max Arnold that put 19 points on the board and gave the Orange the victory.
Hill, who’s been praised all spring for his performance, did his best Arian Foster impression and stole the show for the White team. He led the team in rushing with 18 carries for 101 yards, averaging over 5 yards per carry.
Byron Moore and Daniel McCullers led the Orange Team with six tackles each.
Jordan Williams had two sacks, while Corey Vereen finished with 5 tackles and the four first-half sacks.
Quarterback Justin Worley completed 8-18 passes for 123 yards with one touchdown and one interception while Peterman went 9-23 with 98 yards with no touchdown or interceptions.
Cody Blanc had two catches for 59 yard and one touchdown and Rajion Neal finished the game with 11 carries for 34 yards.
Palardy converted all three of his FG attempts and averaged nearly 43 yards on punts.
SPRING TEAM AWARDS
Harvey Robinson Award: Mack Crowder
Andy Spiva Award: Dontavis Sapp
John Stucky Iron Vol Award: Alden Hill, Alex Ellis, Max Arnold
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