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Tennessee football report card: Grading the Vols in their win over UTEP

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: Running back Quardraiz Wadley #4 of the UTEP Miners runs for yards with Linebacker Daniel Bituli #35 of the Tennessee Volunteers in pursuit during the second half of the game between the UTEP Miners and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 24-0. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: Running back Quardraiz Wadley #4 of the UTEP Miners runs for yards with Linebacker Daniel Bituli #35 of the Tennessee Volunteers in pursuit during the second half of the game between the UTEP Miners and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 24-0. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Special teams

Place-kicking: A-

Brent Cimaglia nailed a 38-yard field goal, which was a huge plus for the Vols. Meanwhile, Paxton Brooks had four kickoffs go for touchbacks. That’s almost good enough for an A. However, with no attempts at field goal kicking beyond 40 yards, the kickoffs needed to all go for touchbacks. And Brooks missed on one, which is why this gets an A-. However, the unit is improving overall, so that’s very good news.

Punting: B

Joe Doyle nailed four of six punts inside the 20-yard line, so his accuracy continues to be great for Tennessee football. In fact, field position played a great role in the Vols pitching a shutout on Saturday. He also had a punt go beyond 50 yards. So overall, it would be a good day. However, one punt went for a touchback, which was a negative, and his average overall was under 40 yards. Those things need to improve for this overall grade to improve, but he’s clearly showing that he’s got it.

Return game: F

This was horrendous. Marquez Callaway fumbled one punt and then didn’t field another. It was just a terrible overall day for him, and with no kickoff returns, this is all we have to judge the day on. Sure, Callaway also had a 13 yard return, but he finished the day with three returns for five yards total and a fumble along with an unfielded punt that severely cost the Vols field position. As a result, the terrible play makes this unit an utter failure.

Overall special teams grade: C

If the return game could have a greater impact to drag down this unit, it would. But with the overall kicking on top of it, we have to give the special teams at least a C. They earned that much from us despite the problems.

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