Associated Press
The college football notebook …
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ó Three turnovers stymied Tennessee’s first-team offense and ignited its first-team defense on Saturday during the Volunteers’ first scrimmage under new coach Lane Kiffin.
“I thought it went really well,” Kiffin said. “Unfortunately, there were three turnovers today offensively.”
The 84-play scrimmage didn’t do much to clear up the competition at quarterback among Jonathan Crompton, B.J. Coleman and Nick Stephens ó all of whom saw playing time last season.
Crompton directed the first team and finished 9-of-16 for 90 yards. He fumbled once on a sack by defensive end Chris Walker, and an underthrown pass was intercepted by C.J. Fleming.
AUBURNAUBURN, Ala. ó The Auburn coaches applied some extra pressure to their three quarterbacks, with a little help from the Tigers’ pass rushers.
Kodi Burns, Neil Caudle and Barrett Trotter all saw action during the portion of Saturday’s 90-play scrimmage at Jordan-Hare Stadium when they were fair game for the defense and not protected from contact as usual. Coach Gene Chizik and offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn were seeking a more accurate look at how they’d handle a real game.
“When you’re really, truly competing, we want our quarterbacks to have that hard edge, too,” Malzahn said. “You’re able to evaluate a lot clearer when you do that.”GEORGIAATHENS, Ga. ó Justin Houston returned an interception 30 yards for a score and also had four tackles and two sacks to lead the defense in Georgia’s spring scrimmage at Sanford Stadium.
ARKANSASFAYETTEVILLE, Ark. ó Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of public intoxication.
Mallett, a Michigan transfer is competing for the starting job.