Auburn and Tennessee had a defensive battle in the first half during their Week 5 matchup on Rocky Top. In other words, the offenses were woeful during the first 30 minutes of a 7-3 game that the Tigers led.
The student vs. teacher offensive battle didn't live up to the hype early on at Neyland Stadium. Not by any stretch of the imagination.
Alex Golesh's return to Knoxville to face his former boss, Josh Heupel, had one interesting narrative amidst a slog of a first half, though: Volunteers quarterback Faizon Brandon was benched.
Heupel was straightforward about his decision to banish Brandon to the bench for backup George MacIntyre.
“Faizon just wasn’t operating,” Heupel told ESPN’s Stormy Buonantony on his way to the locker room (h/t On3). “He didn’t feel 100%. George came in, did some positive things. We’ve got to go find a way to move the ball here in the second half.”
WILL linebacker Xavier Atkins intercepted Brandon, setting up an eventual Byrum Brown touchdown run. Auburn had tremendous field position at the Tennessee 19-yard line to start the drive.
Besides that drive, the first half was rough for Golesh and Joel Gordon's offense. The Tigers' run game continued to be MIA.
READ MORE: Catastrophic injury news lands former Auburn QB Holden Geriner in starting role
Faizon Brandon may have played injured vs. Auburn
Brandon may have entered the game injured after suffering a shoulder issue against Texas in Week 4 during a 20-17 loss.
“I don’t know what his exact injury was or is, but I can promise you he was hurting and hurting a lot,” said Voice of the Vols Mike Keith on 104.5 The Zone’s 3HL.
Brandon hadn't had a defining game yet, throwing for over 200 yards once against Furman.
He had zero passing yards against AU despite completing three of his eight pass attempts.
MacIntyre and the offense, powered by DeSean Bishop, scored on the very first drive of the second half.
Perhaps the quarterback position is in new hands for the Vols now.
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