Special Teams
Nathanael: B+
It’s hard to fault the special teams unit on Saturday, but one of the things keeping it from an “A” for me was the targeting call on Shanon Reid on a punt return late in the game. Other than that, I thought UT’s special teams were easily the best unit in the game for Tennessee. We actually saw some good kick-off returns from both Bryce Thompson and Madre London (though I don’t know why London is the one back returning kicks), and Joe Doyle was mostly pretty effective with his punts. Brent Cimaglia hit his lone field goal attempt, and once again Paxton Brooks absolutely nailed an onside kick. His coverage team just couldn’t recover it, and that’s another reason I don’t give this unit an “A.”
Ben: A
Special teams was the lone bright spot for Tennessee on Saturday. Brent Cimaglia made his only field goal attempt from 21 yards out, and Joe Doyle averaged 43.6 yards per punt with a long of 49 yards. On those punts, Tennessee’s coverage team was good, as it was on kickoffs as well. Paxton Brooks even executed a perfect onside kick that Tennessee should have recovered.
The special teams play of the day came courtesy of Bryce Thompson, who open the second half with a 35-yard return in which he broke several tackles. Even Madre London had a 41-yard return.
