Tennessee football report card in 31-19 Florida loss

Dec 5, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Florida Gators tight end Kyle Pitts (84) runs with the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Florida Gators tight end Kyle Pitts (84) runs with the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
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KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 12: A general view of the goalpost before a game between the UCLA Bruins and the Tennessee Volunteers on September 12, 2009 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. UCLA beat Tennessee 19-15. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 12: A general view of the goalpost before a game between the UCLA Bruins and the Tennessee Volunteers on September 12, 2009 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. UCLA beat Tennessee 19-15. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

Special teams grades

Place kicking: D

There were no moments of consequence here, as Brent Cimaglia didn’t kick any field goals. However, he missed the first extra point of his career. The Vols also failed miserably on the one onside kick he attempted. Those things alone are enough for us to give this grade a D in a very small sample size.

More from Vols Football

Punting: B

Two of Paxton Brooks’ seven punts sailed over 50 yards, and another two pinned the Florida Gators inside the 20-yard line. However, he had two more that were shanked, which drove the grade down, and one that spotted Florida the ball right at the 20. For the day, he averaged 40.9 yards per punt.

Return game: D+

Nobody returned any punts. Velus Jones Jr. had four kickoff returns for 69 yards, which was not good, and one of those returns was called back due to a penalty. As a result, the Vols’ return game was below average.

Overall special teams grade: D+

A missed extra point, a failed onside kick and a penalty on a kickoff return are all bad enough. Add in Tennessee football’s failed fake punt in which Jimmy Holiday dropped an easy pass, and it’s clear that the Vols had a bad day on special teams.