Special Teams
Nathanael: A
The only reason I’m not giving this unit a “plus” is because — for whatever reason — Tennessee’s punters are no longer playing all that well, and Brent Cimaglia missed a field goal he usually makes. Otherwise, the Vols’ special teams were a big difference-maker in this game.
Marquez Callaway got UT on the board with his 65-yard punt return for a touchdown, and Daniel Bituli also scored on special teams, blocking a punt and recovering it in the end zone for a touchdown. Cimaglia made his other two field goals, and Paxton Brooks routinely blasted his kick-offs for a touchback. Maybe I’m just being a little picky in not giving them an “A+,” but this was still a phenomenal performance overall.
Ben: A
Tennessee’s special teams were very impressive against South Carolina. Marquez Callaway returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown, while fellow senior Daniel Bituli blocked a punt and recovered it in the end zone to seal the game. In addition to two special teams touchdowns, Brent Cimaglia was 2-of-3 on his field goal attempts, and Paxton Brooks averaged 44.0 yards per punt. Brooks’ longest punt traveled 51 yards, and he downed two punts inside the 20-yard line. Seven of his eight kick-offs sailed through the end zone for a touchdown.
