What About Special Teams?
So far this year, Tennessee’s special teams hasn’t really done much. But the third phase of the game has proven to be important for the Vols in SEC play in the past, and it figures to be important again this year in close games. So Tennessee needs to get some more practice for their special teams unit.
Kicker Brent Cimaglia has only attempted one field goal so far this season (though he’s connected on all 10 of his PATs), Joe Doyle has looked fairly average on his nine punts, and Tennessee’s kick and punt returners haven’t been able to get in much work. Marquez Callaway has only been able to return two punts (for a total of five yards), and the Vols as a team have returned just three kick-offs for an average of 23.7 yards.
Tennessee’s special teams units were one of the rare consistently good parts of the Butch Jones era. The Vols improved significantly on special teams under Jones, but the unit was completely overhauled this year after the graduations of Evan Berry, Trevor Daniel, and Aaron Medley. And so far, the Vols haven’t really been tested on special teams.
The Vols should be able to get in some special teams work on Saturday, but just how much will they be able to do? This unit may still remain a mystery heading into SEC play.
