Tennessee's Orange and White football scrimmage was just as boring as the Vols' defensive coaches hoped it would be, save a few favorable turnovers.

"When you eliminate the big plays, it gives you a chance to be pretty good,'' UT defensive coordinator John Chavis said. "The guys made some plays today, and we saw a lot of effort and a lot of guys competing.''

The White team, which consisted of the first-team offense and second-team defense, beat the Orange (second-team offense, first-team defense) 16-13 before a crowd of 17,409 Saturday afternoon at Neyland Stadium.

The longest offensive play of the game was fourth-string tailback Roy Olasimbo's 75-yard run with 5:46 left to play, but that was against a group made up largely of reserves.

The only other plays over 20 yards were a 21-yard Arian Foster run, and a pair of Jonathan Crompton passes for 25 and 23 yards to Quintin Hancock and Austin Rogers, respectively.

The defense had half as many plays that went for more than 20 yards (two) as the offense (four) in the 116-play scrimmage and forced five turnovers.

"When you go through an entire game like this and give up very few big plays it's a good day,'' Vols' secondary coach Larry Slade said. "Getting interceptions and turnovers made it even better.''

Slade's defensive backs had three interceptions, one each by Tyler Wolfe, Ja'Kouri Williams and Jarod Parrish.

Wolfe returned his interception of a Dylan Dickey pass 73 yards for a touchdown while Parrish's pickoff stemmed a Jonathan Crompton drive in Orange territory.

"I saw they were max protecting, and I just ran up under the (out) route,'' said Parrish, who will battle incoming recruits to hold the starting strong safety position. "This is my last chance, so I'm going to do all I can. I've had injuries and been behind some guys, and my confidence was down.''

Slade said Parrish's instincts and knowledge are giving him a chance to win the starting job.

"Some of the guys we're bringing in are more gifted athletes,'' Slade said. "But Parrish is showing instincts, and he's showing he understands the game, and that's what gives him an opportunity to get on the field.''

Linebacker Rico McCoy knocked the Vols' first-team offense off the field four plays into the scrimmage. McCoy forced the first of the offense's five turnovers by separating receiver Lucas Taylor from the football at the White team's 44-yard line. Defensive end Antonio Reynolds was there for the fumble recovery.

McCoy, who was credited with six tackles, was seemingly on top of most every play in the first half.

Linebackers Ryan Karl (five tackles, one sack) and LaMarcus Thompson (eight tackles, one interception) also were active.

"It was a very physical spring, and that's what we needed,'' said Chavis, who coaches the linebackers. "We had some individuals grow up.''

Defensive line coach Dan Brooks said many of his players up front did the same.

"It was very physical and they had to grow up,'' said Brooks, who's replacing both starters at defensive tackles. "We've still got a long ways to go, but we made progress and created a little competition up there.''

Brooks' defensive line also created a little frustration for coach Phillip Fulmer.

"The offensive front, when we finish putting all the pieces together it can be productive,'' Fulmer said. "I was real disappointed about the number of pressures we had today and we'd really kind of handcuffed the defense.''

Even so, the defense managed to keep the Vols' offense locked up.