Special teams still not special

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - You've read this before: Tennessee's special team struggled once again.

The worst shortcoming came early, when the Vols gave up the game's first score on an 83-yard punt return by Brandon James en route to a 59-20 loss to Florida on Saturday.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer said the Vols knew James was dangerous coming into the game. Even so...

"We did a crappy job of getting him on the ground," Fulmer said.

"We've just got to kick where we're supposed to kick it and tackle the guy. It should have been (kicked) out of bounds or right at the sideline.''

James isn't the only return man that UT has struggled to get on the ground this season. Cal receiver DeSean Jackson returned a punt 77 yards for a score in the season opener.

Safety Jonathan Hefney, who sees UT's punt coverage team in practice every week, couldn't explain the struggles.

"We do a great job in practice," the senior said. "You never know what happens in a game. You've got great returners in DeSean Jackson and Brandon James. They're elusive. It'll be all right, though."

Hefney nearly put another dent in UT's special teams performance when he muffed a punt. Hefney was able to drop and recover the loose ball amidst a trio of Gators.

"I think my jersey was wet," Hefney said. "I can't make excuses, though."

UT's kicking unit did turn in a positive play when LaMarcus Coker returned a kickoff 74 yards.

The sophomore would have scored had it not been for a saving tackle by receiver Riley Cooper. The ensuing drive ended on an interception.

Coker also fumbled during a kickoff return. Freshman tailback Lennon Creer recovered the loose ball.

Coker declined to talk to the media following the game. He hasn't spoken publicly since returning from his preseason suspension.

Daniel Lincoln continued to be a bright spot for UT's special teams. The redshirt freshman kicker hasn't missed a field goal this season, going 6-for-6. Lincoln's start equals Carlos Reviez' record in 1985.

Against the Gators, the Ocala, Fla., native connected on scoring kicks of 28 and 22 yards, despite a rowdy crowd.

"I had people throwing stuff at me, calling me names and talking about my family," said Lincoln, who also was 2-for-2 on extra points. "That's what makes college football great. I expected that.

"I know that Florida fans are that way."

After punting only one day this week, junior Britton Colquitt's pulled right quadriceps muscle wasn't an issue. Colquitt punted five times for a 46.2-yard average and said after the game he was fine.

Injury Report: Sophomore defensive end Wes Brown re-injured his shoulder in the third quarter. Following the game, he left the field holding his right arm motionless close to his body.

Defensive end Andre Mathis seemed to injure his right shoulder on a special-teams play. The sophomore left the game and was wearing a sling as he left the stadium.

Montario Hardesty did not play. The sophomore tailback still is recovering from an ankle injury suffered against Cal. Fulmer said Hardesty dressed in case he was needed for pass protection in an emergency situation.

Backed Up: Junior offensive tackle Ramon Foster cost UT two illegal formation penalties because he was lined up too far off the line of scrimmage.

"I felt as if I was lined up pretty well," Foster said.

Offensive line coach Greg Adkins said he was not aware of Foster or UT receiving a warning before a penalty was called. Such a warning is customary, but not mandatory.

"It's just poor alignment," Adkins said. "It's something we work on everyday. There's no excuse for that. We'll get that corrected."

Troop's Troupe: UT's top three receivers - Josh Briscoe, Austin Rogers and Lucas Taylor - averaged 10.9 yards per catch against Florida.

"Obviously, (we) didn't make the big plays like we would have liked to make," receivers coach Trooper Taylor said.

That, however, doesn't mean Taylor is ready to insert UT's younger receivers in the next game against Arkansas State at home.

"We're going to get guys out there that are ready to play," Taylor said. "When those guys are ready to play, we'll put them out there."

Aiming Well: Dating back to the Capital One Bowl against Penn State, UT quarterback Erik Ainge attempted 97 consecutive passes without an interception.

The streak was broken in the first quarter when Gator cornerback Markihe Anderson stepped in front of a pass intended for Quintin Hancock.

“I kind of got in a rut of ‘this is the guy who should be open,’ and tried to stick it in there,’’ said Ainge.

“Their guy made a good play.’’

Changing His Tune: East Tennessee native Kenny Chesney was on UT’s sideline.

The country music singer was videotaped wearing a Florida helmet singing with Gators quarterback Tim Tebow during a summer concert.

Salute: Florida’s two-time defending national championship basketball team was honored before the game. Former Maryville High School star Lee Humphrey was not in attendance. He is playing professional basketball in Greece. Humphrey’s parents stood in for him.

Chomp Marks: Florida has scored 38 or more points in five straight games for the first time since its national championship season in 1996.

Berry Good: Eric Berry’s 96-yard interception return in the third quarter was the third longest in UT history, tying Art Reynolds’ return in 1972.

Star Struck: Florida pass-rush specialist Derrick Harvey registered four tackles, one for a loss. The defensive end failed to record a sack as he lined up on both sides against senior Eric Young and Foster.

“I think we played him pretty well,” Young said. “Myself, I could have played him better in the run game.”

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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