For David Cutcliffe, it was a return to familiar territory Saturday afternoon.

Tennessee's new offensive coordinator was back in his eye-in-the-sky seat in the Neyland Stadium press box for the Vols' first major scrimmage of the spring.

What he witnessed was about what he expected.

There were some positives. There were some negatives. Then there was the usual spring bottom line.

"We've got a long way to go," he said.

Basically, it was just what you'd expect after six spring workouts.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer agreed.

"We're just a green and growing football team is the best way I can put it," he said.

Quarterback Erik Ainge completed 14 of 23 passes for 178 yards and one 2-yard touchdown to Robert Meachem to cap off a 10-play, 70-yard drive while working on the two-minute offense.

"He's a veteran quarterback and he's played a lot of football here," Fulmer said of the sophomore. "I thought he took a good step today."

Freshman Jonathan Crompton countered a couple of center exchange problems by completing 10 of 16 passes for 106 yards and three TDs, two of those coming in goal-line situation drills.

Bo Hardegree was 13-of-19 for 87 yards and one score.

"They had their moments and that's where we are right now," Cutcliffe said of the quarterbacks. "The biggest issue they have right now is to avoid wasted plays, plays where you have no chance to be successful.

"That's what we're doing too much. That's why you see the inconsistency."

Cutcliffe wanted the opportunity to grade the film before doling out serious praise, but there was a "consistent" theme to his message.

"The first thing we've got to do, and I've said this all along, is we've got to learn to compete every play," he said. "I still don't think we're there yet."

That's not unexpected considering the variety of offensive sets used, everything from five wide receivers to three-tight end looks.

"We're doing a lot of stuff," he said. "We have challenged those guys mentally because we're doing a lot of things.

"They've responded pretty well from that standpoint. We've got a lot of routes in, a lot of formations and a lot of movements."

The two-hour scrimmage wasn't loaded with highlight-reel material, but there were a few "ooh-and-ahh" plays.

Fullback Cory Anderson had the first one, reeling off a 64-yard run around the right end to set up his own 1-yard touchdown.

"It felt great to give the offense a little spark," the former Austin-East High School standout said. "The defense has been bullying us the past couple of springs, so it felt good to make some plays on those guys.

"We're just trying to get our swagger back."

Senior walk-on David Yancey grabbed his share of the spotlight when he juked defensive back Jonathan Hefney in the open field on his way to a 56-yard touchdown run.

Robert Meachem had the best day of the receivers, making five catches for 66 yards.

"There were some people who made some plays," Cutcliffe said. "Certainly Robert Meachem made some plays we've been wanting him to make. Hopefully, that's a trend."

Defensively, middle linebacker Marvin Mitchell had the play of the day when he blasted Meachem in the open field on a short over-the-middle pass from Ainge.

Freshman defensive back Marsalous Johnson had nine tackles to unofficially lead the defense.

Freshman defensive tackle Dan Williams had seven tackles and three sacks, while sophomore tackle Demonte Bolden forced a fumble, had a sack and one batted down pass.

"We want some guys to come on faster than they probably can," defensive tackles coach Dan Brooks said of replacing six players in the front seven. "That's the nature of spring practice."

The Vols return to the practice field on Tuesday. The Orange and White game is April 8 at 2 p.m.