Brentwood Academy product George MacIntyre led Tennessee to a 24-17 win over Arkansas on Saturday, Oct. 10, in his first career start at quarterback.

The sophomore completed 18 of 29 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He also threw two interceptions but posted a 131.2 quarterback rating and set career highs in completions, attempts and passing yards, according to Tennessee's official postgame notes.

MacIntyre's start made him the first Tennessee native to start at quarterback for the Vols since Murfreesboro native Jauan Jennings opened the Oct. 26, 2019, game against South Carolina as a wildcat quarterback, according to Vols Wire. The last in-state native to start in a traditional quarterback role was Sevierville native Joey Mathews against Southern Miss on Sept. 2, 2000.

The Nashville-area connection runs even deeper. The last Nashville-area native to start in a traditional role was Jim Maxwell, who started against Arkansas in the 1971 Liberty Bowl.

"I just trusted my guy, and he made a play for me," MacIntyre said in the postgame press conference, describing a fourth-quarter pass to wide receiver Braylon Staley.

MacIntyre got the start after Faizon Brandon was sidelined with a lingering shoulder injury suffered during Tennessee's loss to No. 1 Texas. Brandon was unable to finish the previous week's Auburn game, and MacIntyre led the Vols to a 24-14 win over the Tigers after entering in the second quarter, CBS Sports reported.

Against Arkansas, Tennessee trailed 14-10 entering the fourth quarter before pulling away. Senior tight end Trent Thomas opened the scoring in the second quarter with a five-yard touchdown catch from MacIntyre. It was the first score of Thomas's 32-game career.

Senior running back DeSean Bishop sealed the comeback with 19 carries for 138 yards and a touchdown, including a career-long 59-yard rush late in the fourth quarter. Tennessee finished with 414 yards of total offense.

MacIntyre was a four-star recruit and the No. 15 quarterback nationally in the 2025 class out of Brentwood Academy, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking. He had offers from Alabama, Auburn and Clemson but chose to stay in his home state.

The 6-foot-6, 208-pound signal-caller drew praise from Arkansas coach Ryan Silverfield, who said after the Saturday, Oct. 10, game that MacIntyre can make every throw and that he has watched him do it since high school.

The win moved Tennessee to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in SEC play. Head coach Josh Heupel earned his 50th victory at Tennessee, passing College Football Hall of Famer Bowden Wyatt for sole possession of fifth on the program's all-time wins list.

As of Monday, Oct. 12, Heupel had not named a starting quarterback for the Vols' next game against No. 6 Alabama on Saturday, Oct. 17, in Tuscaloosa.