Special teams need to get hotter chili

[Backwards K]

Ekkler needs to spice up the chili on his special teams. In the last three games, Special Teams have given up a touchdown:

--Mizzou, a 95 yd KO return
--SCarolina, a fake punt TD pass
--Ole MIss: a fumbled punt on the 15 yd line which led to an early TD

The first two were not that important but in the Ole Miss game, not only did that fumble lead to the first TD of the game, it killed all of the momentum gained by forcing Ole Miss to punt on the opening drive.

Could also mention the missed FGs against Florida and Ole Miss. Which really are the only two FGs attempted all year which put any pressure on the kicker. The missed 49 yard FG vs Ole Miss was set up in the middle of the field and most top teams do not miss those types of kicks. The game may have played out differwntly but a 2 point deficit on that last drive would have been a lot more advantageous for the Vols.

To win close games in the SEC, you can't continue to make these mistakes.

 

[SGMVols]

Velus knows how to catch a ball. That’s not on coaching.

 

[ACvol3]

Do you honestly think that the dropped punt is on the coach? Cmon man…

 

[IndianaVol]

Special teams has been the most consistent part of the game all year long.
People point to the defense and state they kept us in the Ole Miss game.
Same folks don't realize the first defensive play of any series is the kick off or punt.
How many times did Ole Miss start at a point greater than the 25yd line?

 

[BruisedOrange]

I'm curious how the different special teams squads have been affected by injuries, wondering if guys who had to step up on offense or defense were replaced on special teams?

Anyone have (or know how to access) the special teams rosters from Pitt to today?

 

[Jax_Vol]

This week, we're installing a clapper into Paxton's shoe.

When he punts, it turns on the laser lights.

 

[dmsick]

Special teams has been the most consistent part of the game all year long.
People point to the defense and state they kept us in the Ole Miss game.
Same folks don't realize the first defensive play of any series is the kick off or punt.
How many times did Ole Miss start at a point greater than the 25yd line?

Paxton Brooks put on a clinic on Saturday. He was fantastic.

 

[bpalmer28]

The last punt return is the only reason we had a final shot at the end zone

 

[VolGee4]

Ekkler needs to spice up the chili on his special teams. In the last three games, Special Teams have given up a touchdown:

--Mizzou, a 95 yd KO return
--SCarolina, a fake punt TD pass
--Ole MIss: a fumbled punt on the 15 yd line which led to an early TD

The first two were not that important but in the Ole Miss game, not only did that fumble lead to the first TD of the game, it killed all of the momentum gained by forcing Ole Miss to punt on the opening drive.

Could also mention the missed FGs against Florida and Ole Miss. Which really are the only two FGs attempted all year which put any pressure on the kicker. The missed 49 yard FG vs Ole Miss was set up in the middle of the field and most top teams do not miss those types of kicks. The game may have played out differwntly but a 2 point deficit on that last drive would have been a lot more advantageous for the Vols.

To win close games in the SEC, you can't continue to make these mistakes.

Just for reference, I looked it up and found an article from 2019 that analyzed all P5 field goals that were attempted. At 49 yards, the make percentage was 56.7%. At 50 yards, it was 42.8%. McGrath is 7/9 this year with his two misses being from 40+. So, he is solid inside roughly 40-45 yards. At the time, I thought we should have just gone for it at 4th and 10 at the 32. In hindsight, I didn't know we would prevent them from scoring again.

I am also not sure that Kiffin runs it 3 straight plays with a minute left if we just needed a FG. He may have tried to get one first down.

 

[lukeneyland]

The last punt return is that only reason we had a final shot at the end zone

If we ran that back someone would probably have had to come fish me out of the Knoxville jail

 

[BIGORANGEBUBBA]

I do believe that the missed field goal was big. Nobody is perfect though. Make most miss some. Two point game gives Vols a shot at game winning field goal versus the 5 point deficit requiring the touchdown. All you can hope for is to be in the game with a chance to win. Tennessee had many chances. We're a tough out though

 

[Backwards K]

Do you honestly think that the dropped punt is on the coach? Cmon man…

Never said it was. However, it was another mistake by the special teams that cost the Vols points......for the third game in a row. That part of the team cannot continue to surrender points and leave points on the field. It did hurt the Vols' chances of winning vs Ole Miss. Also, the week before, it did briefly open the door for South Carolina to at least think they had a chance......briefly.

If this group needs to tighten up, then it is on Ekkler to get it done.