Tennessee football report card in 42-17 win at Vanderbilt
![Tennessee running back Ty Chandler (8) rushes through the Vanderbilt defense during the second quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn.Gw55838 Tennessee running back Ty Chandler (8) rushes through the Vanderbilt defense during the second quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn.Gw55838](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/35864c2feae4593a7de1029409b2fb6c2ed886d2ca1903a07ea21a7f60533dce.jpg)
Special teams grades
Place kicking: A
Every kickoff by Paxton Brooks either sailed into the end zone for a touchback or pinned the Vanderbilt Commodores at the 25-yard line or further back. Toby Wilson, in place of Brent Cimaglia, didn’t miss an extra point. The unit did nothing significant, but it had no issues.
Punting: A+
Paxton Brooks had his best game all year. He averaged 47 yards a punt, sailed two 50 yards and had three pin the Vanderbilt Commodores inside the 12-yard line. Only one of his five punts failed to either go 50 yards or pin Vandy inside the 10-yard line. It went 46 yards. The guy also completed a fake punt pass to Henry To’o To’o. Simply put, this was a perfect performance.
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Return game: C-
Bryce Thompson lost 4 yards on a kickoff return, and Eric Gray averaged under 5 yards a punt return. As a result, this unit was nearly below average. A 21-yard kickoff return by Velus Jones Jr. and no flags or turnovers, though, kept it from getting there.
Overall special teams grade: B+
This unit wasn’t too relevant in the game, but the punting alone made its play nearly A worthy. Issues in the return game forced us to give it a B+, though, with the place kicking being so inconsequential in the matchup.