(Courtesy of UTSports.com)
B.J. Coleman completed 22-of-31 passes for 325 yards and two touchdowns while Sam Edgemon rushed for 43 yards and a touchdown to lead Tennessee past Hargrave Military Academy, 37-21, in the lone junior varsity game of the 2008 season Thursday at Neyland Stadium.
It was just the second JV game for Tennessee since 1992. The Vols defeated Hargrave 37-20 last season at Neyland Stadium. The Tigers entered this year's game 10-0 on the season looking to close out a perfect 2008.
"It feels good to hurt right now; I haven't hurt in a long time," said Coleman, a Chattanooga product. "Anytime you can get any kind of game experience, it's important. The receivers played their hearts out today; they did a great job getting their hands on the football. When they did, they made something happen."
Nashville's Ben Bartholomew scored two touchdowns, one on the ground and one through the air, while Monroe, La., native Ahmad Paige led the team with five receptions for 93 yards. Maryville's Tyler Maples caught four passes for 77 yards.
Huntingdon native Chris Donald led the UT defensive effort with 10 tackles, including one for a loss.
Tennessee capitalized on two-straight turnovers by the Hargrave offense in the third quarter. Cookeville's Tyler Wolf picked off a pass at the UT goal line and returned it 71 yards into Hargrave territory. Cleveland's Tanner Shamblin hit Nashville-native Ben Lehning on a 14-yard scoring pass to cash in the miscue.
After a Hargrave fumble on its next possession was forced and recovered by Kingsport's Phillip Tritapoe, Bartholomew punched in a score from 15 yards out two plays later to give Tennessee a 30-13 lead early in the third frame.
The Vols' final score came on a 1-yard run from Pulaski's Edgemon midway through the fourth quarter.
Hargrave's only points of the second half came on a 1-yard pass from Kevin Newsome to Phillip Lefebvre. Newsome then converted the two-point PAT on the ground.
"This is the second time I've gotten to do this, and I wish we could have had this when I played because it would have been perfect for me," said Jim Bob Cooter, acting head coach on the field. "I though B.J. played really well. He looked good on a few sideline throws and had some screens that were good. He handled the game well, got us in and out of the huddle."
Tennessee led 16-13 at the intermission after reeling off a two-play, 52-yard scoring drive in the last 30 seconds. Coleman hit Maples from 24 yards out to cap the drive and a wild final minute of the second quarter.
The Vols got a Devin Mathis (Chattanooga) field goal from 25 yards out with 62 seconds to play in the half, but the ensuing kickoff was returned 91 yards for a touchdown by the Tigers' Jonathan Meeks. Troy Krepich missed the PAT, leaving the score at 13-9.
Tennessee opened the scoring with a 10-play, 83-yard drive late in the first quarter. Coleman hit Bartholomew on a 5-yard, play-action pass for the score that gave Tennessee a 6-0 lead after a missed PAT.
The Tigers responded with an impressive drive of their own, marching 63 yards in seven plays to take a 7-6 advantage. The big play was a 31-yard pass from A.J. Blue to Tyshon Goode that moved the Hargrave offense to Tennessee's 5-yard line. Tyler King paid off the effort with a touchdown run on the next play.
Tennessee takes the weekend off before reconvening at the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center on Sunday to continue preparations for Vanderbilt. Kickoff in Nashville is set for 11:30 a.m. Central time on Nov. 22.
