Sophomore quarterback George MacIntyre is officially taking the reins for No. 14 Tennessee this Saturday at Arkansas! This isn’t just a shake-up; it’s his first career start, and it’s happening because freshman starter Faizon Brandon is sidelined with a shoulder injury he picked up in that Texas game. This is big, y’all.
A Sudden Shift Under Center
Pete Thamel from ESPN broke the news, confirming MacIntyre is in. It’s a tough break for Brandon, who’s been the guy for five starts this season. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound freshman has thrown for 697 yards and seven touchdowns on 61-of-101 passing attempts. He also added 130 rushing yards and three scores on 53 carries. Brandon has been solid, rocking a 48.2 QBR, ranking No. 90 nationally. But that shoulder injury changes everything for now.
MacIntyre’s Moment Arrives
MacIntyre got his first real taste of action last week against Auburn in Week 5 when he stepped in for Brandon during the second quarter. He wasn’t just throwing darts, he was connecting on them, completing 8-of-10 attempts for 86 yards. That’s a strong showing under pressure for a guy who’s now gotta lead a ranked team on the road. What’s he gonna do with a full game under center? That’s the question everyone’s asking.
So, get ready for Saturday! No. 14 Tennessee, sitting at a respectable 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the SEC, heads into Fayetteville to take on Arkansas, who are 2-3 and 0-2 in conference play. Kickoff is set for 4:15 p.m. EDT, televised on SEC Network from Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. It’s MacIntyre’s first start, on the road, against an SEC opponent. This is where legends are made, or at least where we find out what this kid is truly made of. You won’t want to miss it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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