An issue that was discussed this week by coach Butch Jones came up in the first half of Tennessee’s game against Southern Miss.

Jarrett Guarantano briefly left the Southern Miss game with what appeared to be an ankle injury late in the first half. That led to backup quarterback Will McBride coming in the game because Quinten Dormady recently had season-ending shoulder surgery.

“He’ll be in the game and ready to go,” Jones said earlier this week of the possibility of McBride playing for even one snap if Guarantano lost his helmet.

The coach followed through on those comments as McBride went in for three plays against Southern Miss, including a near touchdown pass that fell incomplete. Fans for days had preferred the Vols use running back John Kelly in a Wildcat formation, or another option that would keep McBride’s redshirt in place.

Guarantano returned to the game and Tennessee kicked a field goal on that drive that gave the Vols a 10-3 lead, which they took to halftime.

It didn’t take long for reaction to pour in about Jones’ decision.