Quinten Dormady, other inexperienced Vols could lead way against Gators

Championships often result when a program combines talent with experience. But don’t make the mistake of concluding that one is as important as the other.

Talent invariably carries the day.

For example, take Florida’s last victory over Tennessee in The Swamp. Redshirt freshman quarterback Will Grier, playing in only his fourth college game, rallied the Gators from a 13-point deficit in the final minutes for a 28-27 victory. His game-winning touchdown pass was to freshman wide receiver Antonio Callaway, also playing in just his fourth college game. The victory extended Florida’s winning streak over UT in The Swamp to six games.

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If the Vols hope to end that streak Saturday, inexperienced players probably will lead the way – just as they did in a double-overtime victory over Georgia Tech to open the season and in a 42-7 rout of Indiana State on Saturday.

UT’s best defensive lineman: sophomore end Darrell Taylor, whose previous college experience amounted to eight games and nine tackles. He had 12 tackles, including a game-saving one, against Georgia Tech and added two more tackles against Indiana State.

Best linebacker: sophomore Daniel Bituli.

Best defensive back: sophomore safety Nigel Warrior, who had started just one game before this season.

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Quinten Dormady, UT’s new quarterback, helped lead the comeback from a 14-point deficit against Georgia Tech. So did sophomore wide receiver Marquez Callaway, who had four catches for 115 yards and two touchdowns against the Yellow Jackets and added a 37-yard reception in Saturday's 42-7 victory over Indiana State.

I’m not privy to how the offensive linemen graded out the first two games, but if a first down or touchdown is on the line against the Gators, I wouldn't fault the Vols for running behind freshman offensive guard Trey Smith.

Never mind the inexperience of these first-time starters. Or that they haven’t encountered a venue as intimidating as The Swamp. They have shown the talent and toughness that it takes to overcome odds.

And the odds often have been stacked as high as Ben Hill Griffin Stadium when UT has taken on the Gators.

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Maybe that won’t faze Dormady. He looked unflappable in his first start, even when the Vols appeared to be unraveling at Mercedes-Benz Stadium a week ago.

Remind you of anyone?

The last time Tennessee beat Florida in The Swamp (2003) quarterback Casey Clausen was running the show. Like Dormady, he was a drop-back passer. As for the coolness under fire that Dormady demonstrated in his first start, Clausen showed that for three and a half seasons as Tennessee’s starting quarterback.

Clausen didn’t just win once in The Swamp. He won twice. And his first victory, in 2001, put Tennessee in the SEC championship game.

Clausen was 2-0 against Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium. He also beat Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., and No. 6 Miami on its home field.

Directing one comeback at a neutral site doesn’t put Dormady in Clausen’s class. But it was a good start and a good sign heading into The Swamp.

Reach John Adams at john.adams@knoxnews.com or 865-342-6284 and on Twitter @johnadamskns.  

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