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Tennessee football report card in 27-13 loss at Georgia

By Caleb Calhoun

Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith (11) makes a catch during the first half of a NCAA college football game between Tennessee and Georgia in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022.News Joshua L Jones
Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith (11) makes a catch during the first half of a NCAA college football game between Tennessee and Georgia in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022.News Joshua L Jones /
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Nov 5, 2022; Athens, Georgia, USA; Tennessee Volunteers place kicker Chase McGrath (40) kicks an onside kick against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2022; Athens, Georgia, USA; Tennessee Volunteers place kicker Chase McGrath (40) kicks an onside kick against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Special teams grades

Place kicking: A

There’s no shame in not recovering an onside kick, but to get an A+, you have to be perfect in every aspect of a game. Tennessee football attempted an onside kick and didn’t recover, which makes this an A. Still, Chase McGath hit both field goals, including a 47-yarder, and his only extra point attempt. Then every other kickoff pinned UGA inside the 25-yard line, so it was nearly perfect.

Punting: B-

Paxton Brooks had two great punts and two bad punts, one of which wasn’t his fault. One bad punt was when the Vols had to punt inside their one, which gave him little room. That’s not held against him. One that went 38 yards and didn’t pin UGA inside the 20 did, though. Still, he had punts of 41 and 37 yards that did pin them inside the 20, so he gets some props.

Return game: F

There were nearly no chances at a kickoff return or a punt return, so why does this get an F? Well, Dee Williams refused to field one punt that ended up bouncing to the UT one-yard line, becoming a 75-yard punt, which was enough to give this grade an F. That was a crucial mistake that really had an effect on the flow of the game.

Overall special teams grade: B

A bad punt and a poor return decision weren’t enough to offset the great job McGrath did when it comes to field goal kicking. That’s usually the most important aspect of special teams, and as a result, it warrants this unit receiving an above average grade.

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