George MacIntyre wins debut, puts Tennessee quarterback job in focus

What Happened

George MacIntyre won his first career start Saturday, Oct. 10, passing for 247 yards in Tennessee’s 24–17 victory at Arkansas and putting the Vols’ quarterback decision in front of their next game against Alabama. The sophomore completed 18 of 29 passes for one touchdown and two interceptions. His 131.2 quarterback rating reflected a productive debut with enough mistakes to keep the evaluation unfinished. MacIntyre, a Brentwood Academy product from Brentwood, Tennessee, became the first Tennessee native to start at quarterback for Tennessee since Jauan Jennings opened the South Carolina game on Oct. 26, 2019, as a wildcat quarterback. Joey Mathews was the last Tennessee native to open a game in a traditional quarterback role, against Southern Miss on Sept. 2, 2000. Jim Maxwell was the last Nashville-area native to start for Tennessee in that traditional role, doing so against Arkansas in the 1971 Liberty Bowl. The sources do not identify why MacIntyre made his first start or confirm whether he will start against Alabama. They do show a quarterback who won on the road and produced enough through the air to move Tennessee forward, while the two interceptions left Josh Heupel with a decision rather than a conclusion. MacIntyre gave Tennessee a win in his debut. Alabama is the next answer to the question he opened.

THE PATE STATE READ

(Josh has not yet commented.)