Robert Meachem's mom told him something good was going to happen Saturday.

Moms are always right.

"It felt so good," Meachem said after his five catches for 135 yards and two TDs led the White to a 34-7 victory in Tennessee's annual Orange and White game.

"My mom told me I had a blessing coming today and it was just my day."

Erik Ainge can lay claim to some of the day, too.

The junior solidified his spot as UT's starting quarterback with 14-of-22 passing for 210 yards and the two TDs to Meachem.

If there's one thing the Vols wanted to accomplish Saturday, it was to head into the summer months with some momentum and confidence offensively.

Those big plays were virtually non-existent last season. They've been just as scarce most of this spring.

"I was really pleased with Erik managing the game," offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe said. "His accuracy, and being on time for the most part, that was positive.

"It's something to build off of. He's starting to earn that (confidence). He knows what he's doing and he's comfortable with what we're doing. That was good to see today."

Granted, the defense was limited in some of the packages and stunts it could use.

The point was, according to Ainge, Cutcliffe and coach Phillip Fulmer, the Vols finally made some plays.

It was a long wait.

In front of 15,411 fans, the White offense got on track with Ainge hooking up with Meachem for a 27-yard TD on the first drive of the day.

The duo hooked up again on the first play of the opening White drive in the second half, this one going for 70 yards down the left sideline.

"It just felt good having a long run like that," Meachem said. "I haven't had a long run in a long time."

Ainge said fans probably saw about 50 percent of the Vols' offense they might see next fall, and only "about a quarter of the defense."

"It felt good that we made some plays," he said. "Meachem had a great game.

"That one series (70-yard TD), I threw the ball up and he ran under the ball and broke some tackles down the sideline. That's what we need more of."

Fulmer obviously saw some things he liked.

"I think you can describe the spring as a success for one reason," Fulmer said, "our kids learned how to work again -- as hard as they're supposed to and at the tempo they're supposed to.

"If we'll stay that course, and make the improvements at the positions where we need some improvements, we'll get there."

Ainge vowed he would be right there leading the way.

"I'm going to go out there and work the hardest every single day," he said. "I won't be outworked.

"I thought I played a good game today, but it still wasn't anywhere close to where I want to be."

Freshman Jonathan Crompton completed 15-of-19 passes for 102 yards. Bo Hardegree was 9-of-10 for 50 yards, one TD and one interception.

Bret Smith added seven catches for 47 yards and the Orange's lone 6-yard TD with 25 seconds remaining in the game.

"Everybody was out there having fun and it helped us as a receiving corps," Meachem said. "It was one-on-one and you had to make the play if it came at you."

Tight ends were another target, catching 10 balls split among Chris Brown, Brad Cottam, Jeff Cottam and Rick Daniels-Mulholland.

Walk-on David Yancey led the depleted running back corps with nine carries for 48 yards for the White. Ja'Kouri Williams led the Orange with 11 carries for 33 yards.

Todd Vinson had a 6-yard TD and Roy Olasimbo a 1-yard TD run, both coming in the fourth quarter.

Defensively, Rico McCoy and James Turner led the White team with seven tackles apiece. Adam Myers-White and Ellix Wilson led the Orange with seven and six, respectively.

Jonathan Wade had the only interception of the day, picking off Hardegree to stop an Orange drive.

Kicker James Wilhoit continued his strong spring connecting on field goals of 35 and 36 yards. Britton Colquitt punted four times for a 49.3-yard average.

As well as things went on Saturday, Fulmer learned his lesson from last year. He's not conceding anything.

"Right now, I'm in very much a wait-and-see mode," he said of offseason expectations. "I'm waiting to see if we have the great attitude in the offseason and the summer session.

"I'm certainly not pessimistic, but before I put a stamp of approval on anything, I want to see us do it consistently."

They'll find out if they've arrived Sept. 2 when California visits Neyland Stadium.