Tennessee head coach Butch Jones wanted to make it crystal clear.
So he repeated himself not just once, but twice.
“Major, major, major improvements must occur with this football team, and that starts with special teams,” Jones said at Tuesday’s press luncheon. “We did not play winning football in the special teams game. We invest too much time in our special teams game and everyone taking ownership of their role, executing their assignment and doing their job.”
While A.J. Johnson’s forced fumble on kickoff coverage helped propel the Vols to an early two-touchdown advantage and ultimately a 38-7 win over Utah State, Jones’ overall special teams breakdown quickly morphed into a laundry list of miscues.
Most notably, freshman placekicker Aaron Medley significantly botched a 41-yard field goal attempt, while UT’s coverage unit surrendered a 36-yard kickoff return to Utah State sophomore Kennedy Williams.
“All (special teams areas) were exceptionally disappointing,” Jones said. “Everything starts with operation time. Our punt was too long. Our field goal execution was too long. Didn’t like our coverage on the punt team. Kickoff team, the kickers didn’t do a good job of placing the ball in the box. They sprayed the football, which really puts your coverage team in some challenging situations.”
Even in the return game, Knoxville native Devrin Young, who averaged nearly 26 yards per kickoff return last season, couldn’t muster any significant gains.
With the Utah State offense held in check for the better part of four quarters, the senior speedster had just two run-back opportunities but failed to reach the Vols’ 20-yard line in each instance.
“Our kickoff return team, we didn’t maintain our blocks,” Jones said. “We didn’t play in space very well. A couple times we had some field returns. We’ve changed our scheme a little bit this year with some little nuances, and we weren’t able to get the ball back to the field.
“So there’s a lot of things, and again, in special teams it’s one out of 11. Everyone has a job assignment to do, and again, it’s impacting the game.”
Tuesday’s special teams dissection did, however, produce a lone bright spot as Jones pegged newly crowned punt returner Cameron Sutton as “a big hand” in UT’s blowout victory.
But even with the lofty praise, the second-year head coach demanded more of a supporting cast for his starting cornerback-turned-specialist, who corralled five fair catches but couldn’t ever find space to unleash a return.
“I thought his concentration was outstanding, but he was never given an opportunity because we didn’t win at the line of scrimmage,” Jones said. “We didn’t stay in return phase, and so just the small details of what it takes to play winning football on special teams, we didn’t do a good job.”
Weatherd working way up: Although his enrollment status remained in limbo until late July and his Knoxville arrival didn’t occur until early August, junior college transfer Chris Weatherd still managed to impact Sunday’s season-opening victory.
With only an abbreviated understanding of UT’s defensive game plan, the 6-foot-4, 225-pounder racked up a half tackle for loss early in the first quarter, teaming up with fellow linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin on the hit.
“As he continues to grasp the knowledge of the defensive scheme and also on special teams, you’ll see (Weatherd’s) role continue to be elevated within our schemes,” Jones said. “He’s very explosive. He’s a big-bodied individual who can run, and that’s the type of individuals we need to recruit here to improve our roster. Football is very, very important to him, and he’s done a great job of picking things up.”
Safety shuffling: Despite starting 19 of 24 games in his first two collegiate seasons, junior LaDarrell McNeil’s name wasn’t penciled in as a week one first-teamer, according to the Vols’ released depth chart.
That is, until the hard-hitting Dallas native trotted out to his strong safety position on UT’s first defensive series, leapfrogging presumed starter Devaun Swafford and potential backup Todd Kelly Jr.
“Just consistency and some experience,” Jones offered up as justification for McNeil’s start. “But we’ll continue to evaluate our secondary. The individuals you just spoke about will continue to compete week in and week out. It will be evolving as the football team continues to evolve. But LaDarrell McNeil had a very, very good training camp.”
In Sunday’s win, McNeil finished with two tackles and a pass breakup, while Kelly Jr. and Swafford combined for three total takedowns.
Notes: Freshman cornerback Rashaan Gaulden was held out of practice on Tuesday as he sported a cast on his right arm. Freshman running back Derrell Scott was also a non-participant on Haslam Field, and redshirt sophomore wide receiver Jason Croom donned a green non-contact jersey.
