The kicking game has stood the test of time as a critical element in winning at the college football level. Rules have been altered from time to time to adjust for the impact it can have.
Over the years some teams have fashioned themselves to be particularly adept at utilizing the special teams of the kicking game. Frank Beamer and Virginia Tech is one notable example. Tennessee, with General Neyland’s Maxims greatly emphasized all aspects of the kick game.
With scholarship and practice time limitations in recent decades, it has become increasingly difficult to maintain a high level of proficiency at all phases of this staple of the game.
Currently, the Vols find themselves in the bottom half nationally when it comes to special team’s statistics. Even a casual Big Orange fan can note the need for improvement. In particular kickoffs and kickoff coverage.
Through six games of the 2009 campaign, Tennessee has kicked off thirty-seven (37) times. Of these, two (2) have been returned for touchdowns (Ohio and Georgia).
The remaining thirty-five (35) drives have resulted in seven (7) scores. When the opponent has scored from a kickoff drive, the average starting position is the 40 yard line. Of the twenty-eight (28) non-scoring drives from kickoffs, Tennessee opponent’s average starting at the 26 yard line.
These are not good numbers; they translate as ranking 117th (28.0 yard return per kickoff) out of 120 teams nationally.
Now earlier in the year we talked about touchbacks and their importance. Interestingly, of the top twenty teams in the country with the lowest allowed kickoff return yardage, only three have more touchbacks than Tennessee (4).
So, while it’s a luxury to have a cannon for a kickoff leg, the coverage can more than make up for it. The NCAA has gone to considerable lengths over the years to speed the game up and make it more exciting. To that extends touchbacks are not their friend.
As a note of interest, Chad Cunningham hits a touchback 10.8% of the time. The FBS national average is 11.6%.
How all this applies to the Big Orange’s trek to Tuscaloosa: Tennessee’s defense is capable of keeping this game a low scoring affair. But the kickoff coverage must take as a challenge:
A) Absolutely no returns for touchdowns.
B) Contain returns within the 25 yard line.
C) No mental errors. If a switch is on fine, execute it. But leaving a
lane (and a subsequent hole has to stop).
Tennessee has an excellent special teams coach in Eddie Gran. As depth gets better, the coverage numbers should get considerably better.
On the kickoff return side of things for the Vols, Alabama doesn’t fair much better (105th nationally). This would be the perfect time to set the tone early with a kickoff returned for a touchdown.
Tennessee will have plenty on it’s plate in trying to steal away a second SEC win. If the Vols are to win, kickoffs and coverage will have played their part in helping the Big Orange and the kicking game move forward.
NEXT UP: “A Formidable Tusk”