Tennessee football report card in 42-17 win at Vanderbilt
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.