Faizon Brandon explains his relationship now with Tennessee QB George MacIntyre

Tennessee football started its season with a quarterback competition between Faizon Brandon and George MacIntyre. Now they are both playing a role in the November push for a College Football Playoff berth.

Brandon is embracing Tennessee coach Josh Heupel's willingness to play both quarterbacks as needed, and the strategy that has played a key role in wins over Kentucky and Texas A&M in consecutive weeks.

“I think I we have a way better relationship now than we did back then," Brandon said after Tennessee defated the Aggies 22-7 on Nov. 14 in College Station, Texas. "We’re talking a lot more I feel like we’re a lot more connected and know that we need each other.”

As the No. 9 Vols (8-2, 5-2 SEC) grinded through the victory against Texas A&M (4-6, 1-6), Heupel needed contributions from both MacIntyre, the sophomore who made his fifth consecutive start and Brandon, the five-star freshman who started the first five games.

MacIntyre had completed 66% of his passes for 705 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions in his four previous starts. In his five starts, Brandon had completed 60% of his passes for 697 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception, while also rushing for 130 yards and three touchdowns.

However, MacIntyre suffered a knee injury and exited the game in the third quarter, allowing for Brandon to see his first extended action since returning from a shoulder injury he suffered in the loss to Texas on Sept. 26 and being benched in the second quarter of the Auburn win the following week.

"Really, I was just trying to get healthy first and then stay prepared, wait my turn, keep on preparing and learning like I got the starting job," Brandon said.

Neither player was prolific as the Vols won behind 175 combined rushing yards from DeSean Bishop and Javin Gordon, and a suffocating defense that allowed only 179 total yards.

"George got twisted up on the one pass play and comes back in and was battling through it but had to go back (to the sideline). But with where the game was, just didn’t feel like it was the right place for George, just dealing with that injury," coach Josh Heupel said. "Both of them played extremely well. Proud of both of those guys. Big smiles on their faces. Excited about the win. They care about the team and straining and competing.”

MacIntyre completed his first 10 throws and exited having completed 13 of 17 passes for 109 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions.

Brandon, who was used in specialty packages for the Vols during their win over Kentucky, was in for only a handful of run plays in the first half.

Brandon completed one pass, but it was Tennessee's only touchdown in the game, a 5-yard strike to tight end DaSaahn Brame at the 10:13 mark of the third quarter. He also rushed six times for 36 yards and used his legs to seal the win in the fourth quarter.

“Kind of got the jitters out early, so when I went in, it was just getting with the flow of the game," Brandon said about his early snaps in place of MacIntyre. "So I did feel like it helped me out early.”

Stephen Thompson covers Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball. Email him at stephen.thompson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @stephenethom.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Faizon Brandon explains his relationship now with Tennessee QB George MacIntyre