All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football vs. South Alabama: 10 keys to the game

By Caleb Calhoun

A military flyover passers over Neyland Stadium before an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.Kns Tennessee South Carolina Football
A military flyover passers over Neyland Stadium before an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.Kns Tennessee South Carolina Football /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 10
Next
Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) celebrates a touchdown during a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.Kns Tennessee Alabama Football Bp
Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) celebrates a touchdown during a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.Kns Tennessee Alabama Football Bp /

7. Kickoff return TDs and punt return miscues

Neither team has had too many fireworks when it comes to returning punts or returning kickoffs. However, there have been just enough on both sides of the ball to make this an issue, as any one of these things could change the course of the game.

Both Tennessee football and South Alabama have fumbled one punt on the year. Neither has returned a punt for a touchdown. At the same time, both have allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown, but neither has run a kickoff back for a touchdown themselves.

In UT’s case, a muffed punt by Velus Jones Jr. cost them against the Ole Miss Rebels. South Alabama’s muffed punt came against the Alcorn State Braves, and that was a huge reason the game was close. Both of their muffed punts spotted the other teams touchdowns.

As a result, the team that has either one of these miscues, muffing a punt or allowing a runback, will be letting the game change in a major way against them. If the Vols have the miscue, they’ll likely allow the game to stay close longer than they wish. However, if South Alabama allows it, that could result in the game getting out of hand quickly, which is what UT wants.

Home/Vols Football