Quarterbacks struggle in Vols' scrimmage

Nick Stephens, the favorite to take over for Jonathan Crompton as Tennessee's starting quarterback, completed just three of nine passes for six yards, you read it right, the other main competitor for the job, Matt Simms, completed eight of 20 throws for 83 yards, and his lone touchdown was offset by an interception.
Head coach Derek Dooley attributed some of Stephens' "issues" to a case of the jitters.
"I wouldn't say you expect that," Dooley said according to the Knoxville News Sentinel. "You always hope them to play better than they do. Some of them play a little better, and then some of them get out there and have a little anxiety because it's the first one and they want to do well. It's important to learn to just relax and play and let the play come to you.
"You know, it certainly wasn't the best performance for Stephens and he was probably a little late on some reads, had some batted balls , just very jittery it looked like. That's why you have a first scrimmage."
"Personally, it didn't go well, and I'll be the first one to say it," Stephens said. "I won't try to sugarcoat anything, I didn't have that good of a day. I thought I was putting too much pressure on myself, and I'm going to get a lot better from this scrimmage to the next scrimmage. I have to, and I'm going to.
"I've been throwing the ball very accurate this whole entire camp, and I'm going to watch the film to make sure that I am. I've got the numbers to show that I am. That's not the problem right now. I was thinking a little too much today and putting too much pressure on myself to make a big play because of how bad I want it."

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