Apparently, the Great Nathan Peterman Experiment has been put on hold indefinitely.
Just prior to the game against Florida Saturday, Tennessee announced that the redshirt freshman would make his first collegiate start in The Swamp. Peterman completed just 4-of-11 passes for five yards and two interceptions -- one of which was returned for a touchdown -- before being replaced by the previous starter, Justin Worley.
Head coach Butch Jones announced Monday that will be Peterman’s last playing time for a while as the quarterback suffered a hand injury in the loss to the Gators. Jones said Peterman will miss at least a month.
As a result, Worley has vaulted back to the top of the depth chart. After replacing Peterman, Worley completed 10-of-23 passes for 149 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Worley’s 128.2 pass efficiency rating is 72nd in the country and behind 10 SEC quarterbacks, helping in part to explain the Vols’ uneven 2-2 start to the season.
With Peterman out, a pair of freshmen -- Joshua Dobbs and Riley Ferguson -- are listed as the co-backups on the depth chart released today.
Jones did allow that the quarterback competition would be opened back up to include everyone, although it would be more than surprising if anyone but Worley was under center when the Vols take on South Alabama Saturday.