How Vols' Quinten Dormady compares to Peyton Manning, other Tennessee QBs in first start

Recent Tennessee quarterbacks have produced better stats in their first start than Quinten Dormady did Monday night against Georgia Tech. And they have beaten better teams.

But none of them led a bigger comeback than Dormady in rallying the Vols from a 14-point deficit to a 42-41, double-overtime victory over the Yellow Jackets at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Dormady’s performance under pressure overshadowed his stats — 20 completions in 37 attempts for 221 yards and two touchdowns. Something else worth mentioning: Even though his receivers dropped six passes, Dormady kept his cool.

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Based on his limited play as a backup the past two seasons, UT knew Dormady could throw. It didn’t know how well he could throw under pressure. Or how well he could handle adversity.

That’s why the first game was so significant.

Former Tennessee quarterback Tee Martin had an awful game statistically in his first start. He completed only 9 of 26 passes for 143 yards in the 1998 season opener against Syracuse.

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But he came through when the game was on the line, leading the Vols on a game-winning drive in the final minutes as they edged Syracuse 34-33.

Martin’s ability to raise his game when it mattered most would be demonstrated repeatedly during UT’s national championship season.

Future All-American Peyton Manning also posted unimpressive numbers in his first start as a freshman in 1994 against Washington State. The Vols played conservatively against a stout Cougars defense in a 10-9 victory.

Their offense picked up after that. And, as the UT record book reflects, so did Manning.

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Here’s how some other recent Tennessee quarterbacks fared in their first start:

Joshua Dobbs: He completed 26 of 42 passes for 240 yards and threw two interceptions as a freshman in 2013. He also ran seven times for 45 yards in a 31-3 loss to Missouri.

Justin Worley: Starting as a freshman against South Carolina in the eighth game of the 2011 season, he completed 10 of 26 passes for 105 yards and threw two interceptions in a 14-3 Tennessee defeat. 

Tyler Bray: He completed 19 of 33 passes for 325 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman against Memphis in 2010 in a 50-14 win.

Matt Simms: He completed 14 of 24 passes for 181 yards as the Vols opened the Derek Dooley Era with a 50-0 victory over UT Martin in 2010.

Jonathan Crompton: He completed 19 of 41 passes for 189 yards as Tennessee lost its 2008 season opener in overtime to UCLA in Pasadena, Calif. 

Erik Ainge: He rotated with fellow freshman Brent Schaeffer through the first three games before making his first start against Auburn, which finished the 2004 season unbeaten. He completed 17 of 35 passes for 173 yards but threw four interceptions in the 34-10 loss.

Rick Clausen: With Ainge and Schaeffer both injured, Clausen completed 19 of 30 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns in a victory over Vanderbilt in 2004.

Casey Clausen: He completed 18 of 24 passes for 213 yards in Tennessee's 2000 victory over Alabama. 

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: Twitter.com/johnadamskns.