Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said he doesn't want to get ahead of himself, but with quarterbacks like Erik Ainge and Brent Schaeffer, that could prove difficult.

The Vols' dynamic duo showed skill and poise throughout a 110-play scrimmage Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

"We're fortunate to have two players in the program like that,'' Fulmer said. "They handled the ball well in the wet weather and goal line situations they managed it pretty well today.''

Schaeffer was 14-of-22 passing for 196 yards and a touchdown, while Ainge completed 12-of-19 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown. Ainge was also intercepted, but that was after his pass glanced off the fingertips of receiver Jayson Swain.

Even when a light sprinkle turned into a downpour, neither of the freshmen quarterbacks experienced a decline in their performance.

It appeared Saturday that it's no longer a question of if the freshmen quarterbacks can catch up to the rest of the offense. Rather, can the rest of the offense play up to the level of the freshmen quarterbacks?

With the exception of true freshman tailback Arian Foster (seven carries, 51 yards), none of the backs looked dominant. Jabari Davis and David Yancey both fumbled, and Corey Larkins had his worst outing of the preseason (five carries, 12 yards).

The receivers, meanwhile, continue to have their share of dropped passes. Derrick Tinsley (five catches, 76 yards, TD) and Tony Brown (6-91, TD) were the exceptions. Both Brown and Tinsley played like the seniors they are, making catches in traffic, getting open after plays broke down and gaining yardage after their receptions.

While Ainge and Schaeffer aren't to the point of having favorite targets, each has shown the ability to find the open man - or improvise.

"I just look at the field; I pass first, and if it's not there, I take off running,'' Schaeffer said. "(The offense) is coming easier and faster for me.''

Ainge, like Schaeffer, is taking his success in stride.

"It's an adjustment, but not a huge adjustment,'' Ainge said matter-of-factly. "I just want to keep picking up the offense. You have to be able to run the show. The receivers, backs and offensive line have to get confidence in me.''

Fulmer indicated the biggest questions about the freshmen quarterbacks have been answered.

"Now it's the little things within the schemes,'' Fulmer said.

There could be two schemes: one for Ainge, and one for Schaeffer. Fulmer said Wednesday that having to prepare for both quarterbacks would present a "nightmare'' for defensive coordinators.

Neither of the freshmen quarterbacks expressed concern over having to split playing time at this point.

"Whatever makes the coaches satisfied is fine with me,'' Schaeffer said. "I think (a two-quarterback system) would be a nightmare for defenses.

"I don't know what people think about me, but I know what I can do.''

Ainge said the concept makes enough sense.

"I wouldn't doubt it if that's something we did see,'' Ainge said. "It's the best way to find out who will be quarterback. You can tell a lot from practice, but there's nothing like game experience.''

Fulmer refuses to tip his hand on whether the two quarterbacks will rotate plays or series, if at all.

"I'm not talking about that, until it's time to make a decision,'' Fulmer said. "I don't want us to get ahead of ourselves.''

After all, Fulmer can't afford for the rest of the offense to fall too far behind.