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Tennessee football report card in 40-13 win at LSU

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 8, 2022; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (11) catches a pass against Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Wesley Walker (13) during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2022; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (11) catches a pass against Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Wesley Walker (13) during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 8, 2022; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Tennessee Volunteers helmet against the LSU Tigers during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2022; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Tennessee Volunteers helmet against the LSU Tigers during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /

Special teams grades

Place kicking: A

A Chase McGrath missed field goal from 50 yards out is the only reason this isn’t an A+. However, McGrath made four field goals and four extra points. Then there’s the opening kickoff from Paxton Brooks, which LSU fumbled and Will Brooks recovered to set up Tennessee football’s first touchdown of the game. Yes, this gets an A.

Punting: A+

One Brooks punt went for just 34 yards but pinned LSU on the two-yard line. The other went for 49 yards. What else can you ask for in the punt game? Of course, LSU responded to that punt to the two with a 98-yard touchdown drive, but that wasn’t Brooks’ fault.

Return game: A

There was no touchdown. However, in his debut for the Vols, Dee Williams had a 58-yard punt return. A lack of a touchdown and Jimmy Holiday averaging just 19 yards a return on three returns is why this was an A, but one big play in a game on kickoff or punt returns is always the goal, and the Vols got that in this one.

Overall special teams grade: A

Again, there was a missed field goal and not a great average on kickoff returns. That’s the only reason this wasn’t an A+. Tennessee football built a 10-0 lead thanks to recovering a fumbled kickoff and returning a punt 58 yards. This unit was elite and deserves its props.

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