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Tennessee football report card in 44-6 win vs. Kentucky

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright (20) spins off Kentucky defensive back Zion Childress (11) during the NCAA football match between Tennessee and Kentucky in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022.Tennesseevskentucky1029 3840
Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright (20) spins off Kentucky defensive back Zion Childress (11) during the NCAA football match between Tennessee and Kentucky in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022.Tennesseevskentucky1029 3840 /
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Tennessee placekicker Chase McGrath (40) reacts after missing the extra point kick during the NCAA football match between Tennessee and Kentucky in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022.Tennesseevskentucky1029 3744
Tennessee placekicker Chase McGrath (40) reacts after missing the extra point kick during the NCAA football match between Tennessee and Kentucky in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022.Tennesseevskentucky1029 3744 /

Special teams grades

Place kicking: D+

Kickoffs were fine with Paxton Brooks, but what Chase McGrath did kicking field goals was a problem. He missed his second extra point in three weeks, and then he missed a 37-yard field goal. Being automatic within 40 is his calling card and has been necessary. Although he made a 29-yard field goal, that wasn’t enough to offset the performance as a whole.

Punting: A+

Speaking of Paxton Brooks, he returned to continuing Tennessee football’s tradition of Punter U. Brooks had three punts. One went for 51 yards. The other two pinned Kentucky inside the five-yard line. That’s about as perfect as you can get punting the ball, so he gets an A+ for his play.

Return game: A+

Dee Williams had a 34-yard punt return. Da’Jon Terry blocked an extra point, which is part of the return game. Then the Vols forced an 18-yard punt at one point. That’s more than enough to give this unit a perfect grade despite not running any kicks or punts back for a touchdown.

Overall special teams grade: B+

There’s a reason Tennessee football got so many short fields. Great punting and a great return game were part of that. Place kicking is usually the most important aspect of special teams, but the greatness of the other aspects kept it from holding the Vols back in this one.

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