When Tennessee released its depth chart Monday listing three quarterbacks listed as potential starters, the topic became a main discussion point entering Saturday’s game at South Carolina. Starting quarterback Justin Worley is still being monitored by the coaching staff, leaving many to expect Joshua Dobbs as the favorite to start following a solid individual performance against Alabama last week.

Offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian is focused on continuing to prepare each quarterback as if they were already named the starter for Saturday’s game.

“We approach every week with a business-like mentality and by no means do we approach this week satisfied with anything that we’ve accomplished,” Bajakian said after the Vols’ practice Wednesday. “There are no moral victories. We lost and we do want to build upon some progress that we’ve made but we still have a lot of work to do as an offense and we still need to improve in a lot of areas.”

Dobbs entered Saturday’s 34-20 loss during Tennessee’s third offensive possession. The sophomore threw for 192 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on 19-of-32 passing. He added a team-best 75 rushing yards on 19 attempts. The Vols outscored the Tide 20-14 for the remainder of the game, despite losing 34-20.

“Josh has a lot of talent and has worked hard at his craft,” Bajakian said. “[The run game] is where he adds a little bit of a factor that maybe Justin [Worley] does not. When anybody makes plays that the defense has to account for, that frees up eyes and space for other players. Obviously, what Josh was able to do with his feet and with his arm is going to garner the attention of the defensive players and open up other guys.”

Despite the optimism from many Vols fans, Bajakian says the staff has yet to name a new starting quarterback. He reiterates that the three passers are in constant competition with each other, as was the case during training camp, when Worley won the starting job weeks before the season opener against Utah State.

“We have confidence in all of our guys,” Bajakian said. “Justin Worley has proven himself and his abilities in the past and if he’s healthy, he’ll play. We preach to all of our players, quarterback especially, but you prepare as if you’re going to be the starter. Obviously for all of our guys, but particularly for Josh, the key is to remain consistent.”

 

 

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