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Good returns on Vols' kick returns
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The returns? Good. The kicks? Not so much.
"The kickers, they kind of seemed like they took the day off," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. "It wasnt good at all."
Senior kicker James Wilhoit hit a 37-yard field goal on his first attempt of the night, but missed wide left from 46 and wide right from 39 yards later in the scrimmage.
All told, Wilhoit was 4-of-10 with a long of 41 yards.
"James has kicked well in camp, and I have no doubt hell get himself on track and be fine," Fulmer said.
Punter Britton Colquitt was solid, averaging 45 yards on five punts with a long of 53.
Sophomore Austin Rogers, who is competing with Demetrice Morley and Jonathan Hefney to return punts, had the bright spot with a 60-yard punt return late in the scrimmage.
"They set up a great wall for me," said Rogers, who also caught two passes for 33 yards. "All I saw was green grass. It was pretty easy because they set up a great wall.
"We come into meetings every day and concentrate on special teams, trying to get big returns and set up good field position for our offense."
Hefney returned one punt for seven yards and Lucas Taylor added a 12-yard return.
"Those coverage teams were mostly scouts, so I was glad to see us pop a return or two," Fulmer said. "Weve been working hard on those things."
Receiver Robert Meachem blocked a punt by freshman Daniel Lincoln and Antwan Stewart returned it 7 yards for the nights only defensive touchdown.
Hancock Impressive: Freshman receiver Quintin Hancock led the receivers with five catches for 68 yards and a touchdown.
Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe noticed.
"Hes got some talent. He just keeps making play after play," Cutcliffe said. "It happens in practice, too. Thats not a sometimes thing. It happens pretty regularly."
Hancock primarily saw action with back-up quarterbacks Nick Stephens and Bo Hardegree.
Despite the number of experienced players ahead of him on the depth chart, Cutcliffe said Hancock could crack the rotation.
"They better start making the plays hes making," Cutcliffe said. "That youngster is trying to work his way into the mix."
Hardesty Feeling Good: Backup tailback Montario Hardesty said his right knee felt fine following Saturdays scrimmage.
"I felt 100 percent, definitely," said Hardesty. "I just got to go get some treatment to make sure my knee dont swell up. But right now, it feels good."
Fulmer said it was good to get Hardesty on the field after the sophomore missed last weeks scrimmage due to swelling in his surgically repaired knee.
"It was good to see Hardesty back in the flow," Fulmer said.
Hardesty ran for 24 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, second only to walk-on Roy Olasimbos 43 yards on 10 carries.
Smith, Ryan Picked: Comcast Sports Southeast, in conjunction with Host Communications, has named veteran sportscaster Randy Smith and former UT quarterback Pat Ryan as the announcing team for the UT replay game.
In addition, former Volunteer Mike Stowell will fill the analyst spot for select games.
Smith and Ryan replace Bob Bell and Terence Cleveland, who had broadcast the games on CSS since its inception seven years ago.
Cleveland, a former UT wide receiver, cited added business responsibilities and travel for his decision. Bell, a long time Nashville sportscaster, said his new daily radio show would make doing the games this season very difficult.
CSS will air the rebroadcast Mondays at 8 p.m.
Tickets Available: The UT Athletics Department has "a very limited" number of tickets available for home games against Air Force (7 p.m. Sept. 9) and Marshall (4 p.m. Sept. 23 on homecoming).
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