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Special teams needs more work
The Vols got great play from kicker James Wilhoit and punter Britton Colquitt, but their return game and return coverage left a lot to be desired.
Colquitt's 48.2-yard average on four punts set a career high.
Wilhoit booted a 36-yard field goal in the first quarter and tied a career high with a 51-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The senior has converted 11 consecutive field-goal attempts.
Wilhoit also helped pin Florida deep with a "bloop" kickoff in the second quarter after a personal foul call put the ball at midfield.
"James has been Mr. Consistent," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said Sunday. "He's been real, real consistent, a guy we can count on.
"He hit a bloop kick that was just perfect for what we wanted. We got them inside the 10-yard line with a chance to really do some damage. I'm really proud of James."
What Fulmer wasn't so proud of was UT's punt return defense.
Florida's Brandon James returned four kicks for 65 yards with a long of 35. He had an 89-yard return for a touchdown called back because of a questionable illegal block.
"Our punter and kicker did pretty well," Fulmer said. "Other than that, we've got some significant strides to make in the kicking game as well. I don't mean every phase, but obviously our punt coverage lanes and not getting stacked and our tackling has got to be addressed."
UT's best kickoff return was 19 yards, and the Vols rank 119th -- dead last -- in the nation on kickoff returns with an average of 12.88 yards per return.
Ranking The Vols: Tennessee dropped two spots to No. 15 in the Associated Press poll after falling to Florida. The Gators jumped two spots to No. 5.
The Vols also fell two spots in the USA Today coaches poll from No. 17 to No. 19, one spot ahead of California.
Harrell Surgery Set: Justin Harrell, who played his final game of the season against Florida, will have surgery to repair the ruptured tendon in his left biceps today.
Harrell elected to postpone the surgery a week in order to play against the Gators. His rehabilitation is expected to take several months.
No Shuffle In Secondary: Fulmer said he doesn't plan to make any changes to his starting lineup in the secondary heading into Saturday's game against Marshall.
Antwan Stewart moved from safety to replace injured cornerback Inky Johnson. Free safety Jonathan Hefney originally was slated to start at corner.
Reserve Demetrice Morley started at strong safety.
Overall, Fulmer was happy with the secondary's play Saturday.
"They did all right," he said. "(Antonio) Gaines missed a tackle, but other than that I think he did all right. Ricardo Kemp actually played pretty well."
Coker Carries: For the second week in a row, Fulmer said he'd like to see reserve tailback LaMarcus Coker get more carries.
The redshirt freshman did not carry the ball against Florida, but caught UT's only touchdown reception on a 48-yard pass from Lucas Taylor.
Injury Update: There is no timetable for Arian Foster's return from an ankle injury suffered against Air Force.
"We just have to see where he is," Fulmer said. "He was limping during the game. I'm hopeful another day or two he'll be a lot better, but we'll have to see."
Receiver and kick returner Austin Rogers (shoulder) and backup linebacker Ellix Wilson (ankle) are questionable for Saturday's game against Marshall.
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