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Tennessee football vs. UT-Martin: 10 keys to the game between Vols and Skyhawks

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 15, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; General view before the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; General view before the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide 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 *** /

9. Will the Vols have a special teams miscue?

Again, coming off the bye, Tennessee football has been the beneficiary of special teams miscues. The Vols jumped out to a 10-0 lead over LSU thanks to a fumbled opening kickoff and a 58-yard punt return. They recovered a muffed punt last week against Alabama to build a 28-10 lead, and then they made the game-winning field goal after Bama missed theirs.

However, special teams hasn’t been perfect. Chase McGrath missed an extra point last week, and he missed a field goal the week before. His game-winner against the Tide appears to have been partially blocked as well, and that’s where this could get interesting.

UT-Martin has blocked two field goals on the year already. McGrath’s blocked kick combined with Paxton Brooks having a punt blocked against the Pittsburgh Panthers makes this somewhat concerning, and the Vols have had their own issues in the return game as well.

Remember, Trevon Flowers muffed a punt at Pitt, and the Vols failed to recover an onside kick against the Florida Gators late, which came close to costing them. Taking all of this into account, a fast start by UT-Martin combined with a big special teams play here or there could throw this for a loop going forward.

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