Vols Want To Get Pig Howard More Touches
By Zach Ragan
Oct 19, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers tight end Brendan Downs (85) congratulates wide receiver Alton Howard (2) for scoring a touchdown against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Sophomore wide receiver Pig Howard has been one of the Volunteers most consistent players on offense in 2013.
The Orlando, FL native has 25 catches for 255 yards this season, after having only 13 catches for 55 yards as a freshman in 2012.
In addition to Howard’s receiving yards, he’s also carried the ball 12 times for 73 yards.
Those numbers are what makes Howard’s line in the box score this past Saturday very perplexing.
Howard had two catches for four yards and one carry for one yard in the Volunteers’ loss to Alabama.
That’s just not good enough for one of your top offensive weapons.
On Wednesday, offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian acknowledged that the Vols have to get Howard more touches.
"Bajakian: He was targeted as the first read in the progression quite a few times, 11 or 12 to be exact. And then another three or four times he would’ve been the first progression based on coverage. [Alabama] did a good job of taking him away. We’ll obviously find more ways to get him guaranteed touches."
That’s good news for starting quarterback Josh Dobbs, as Howard is a player he can lean on heavily.
Against Georgia and South Carolina, Howard had 12 combined catches for 103 yards. He also had six carries for 46 yards against Georgia.
The Vols will need more production like that from Howard, in order to knock off #10 Missouri on the road.
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