A best-case scenario from Tennessee’s second scrimmage Saturday night? That the Vols’ defense is awfully good.

In other words, there were few offensive highlights in the workout at Neyland Stadium two weeks before the season-opener against California.

First-team Erik Ainge had several nice completions, but only one sustained scoring drive.

Second-team quarterback Jonathan Crompton had a couple of nice throws but didn’t generate any momentum.

Montario Hardesty got the night’s first touchdown on a 2-yard run, capping a 40-yard drive.

The score came after safety Demetrice Morley stripped fullback David Holbert of a pass from Ainge that would have been a touchdown.

For the second consecutive scrimmage, third-string quarterback Bo Hardegree passed for a score. He converted a fourth-and-goal at the 5 with a scoring pass to true freshman receiver Quintin Hancock.

Hancock also had a TD catch in the first scrimmage. Hardegree threw the ball in his initial possession.

Ainge and Crompton both had downfield completions but most of their drives came up short and necessitated James Wilhoit field-goal attempts.

Wilhoit was good from 37 yards but then missed from 46 and 39.

Ainge had completions of 37 yards to Robert Meachem and 39 yards to tight end Brad Cottam.

He also hooked up with Jayson Swain for a nifty 16-yard completion then came back to Swain again for 19 yards to convert third down on the drive that Hardesty finished.

Most of the scrimmage leaned on the passing game, but Hardesty had a couple of impressive runs of 9 and 7 yards in the scoring drive.

Kick Highlights: Lucas Taylor nearly broke a kickoff return all the way before kicker Wilhoit pushed him out of bounds. Later, Austin Rogers nearly took a punt return all the way. ? Antwan Stewart scored with the recovery after Meachem blocked a punt.

Notebook: Josh McNeil started at center, joining an offensive line of Eric Young, Anthony Parker, David Ligon and Arron Sears. ? Receiver Josh Briscoe fumbled after a pass reception and dropped another pass. ? True freshman Jacques McClendon worked at right guard with the No. 2 offense, as did redshirt freshman Chris Scott at left tackle.