Michael Palardy Picks Up Conference Honor

Oct 19, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers kicker Michael Palardy (1) kicks a field goal with 3 seconds left to win the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 23 to 21. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Palardy has had himself a memorable past couple of days.

On Saturday Palardy kicked the game-winning field goal against #11 South Carolina, propelling the Volunteers to a 23-21 victory.

On Monday, Palardy was named SEC special teams player of the week.

Palardy hit three of his four field goal attempts on Saturday.

The senior kicker was just as important in the field position battle. Palardy punted eight times for an average of 40.4 yards a punt, including a booming 65 yard punt.

Palardy’s impressive punting was key, as the Vols won the field position battle most of the day.

The Florida native was much maligned coming into this season, but has really thrived under Butch Jones and the new coaching staff at Tennessee.

On Monday, Palardy acknowledged that added confidence has helped him be a better player this season.

"I’m a lot more confident than past years. Having that confidence has really helped my play."

The Vols will definitely need more of those booming punts on Saturday against Alabama. If the Vols plan to have a chance at victory, they’ll have to win the field position battle yet again.

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