Vols might try a new punter

After another special-teams breakdown Saturday in a 30-6 loss to Florida, Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said he would consider other options at punter besides sophomore Chad Cunningham.

The Vols rank 118th out of 119 Division I Bowl Subdivision teams in net punting for the second week in a row.

A 78-yard punt return for a touchdown by Florida return specialist Brandon James didn't help those numbers, which include a blocked punt for a touchdown against UCLA.

In all, Tennessee is averaging a net of just 22 yards per punt. South Carolina, the 11th-ranked team in the SEC, is averaging 31.6 yards.

"We're going to look at all of our possibilities there," Fulmer said, adding that UT's walk-on punters would get an extended look in practice as Tennessee prepares for its trip to No. 15 Auburn (TV: WVLT, 3:30 p.m.) this week.

Junior Steven Hensley would be the most viable option if Fulmer chose to bench Cunningham, who has started all three game this season while All-SEC punter Britton Colquitt serves a five-game suspension for an offseason DUI.

Cunningham is averaging 37.8 yards per punt, however he has struggled at times with placement of his kicks. On James' touchdown return Saturday, he fielded the ball near the hash mark.

"You want it as close to the sidline as you can get it," Cunningham said following Saturday's game. "I could have definitely done a lot better punt than I gave our coverage team. I take credit for that."

In fairness, James and Cal's DeSean Jackson both returned punts for touchdowns last season when Colquitt was starting. The Vols, however, rallied to finish the 2007 season 34th in the nation with a net punting average of 36.7 yards.

Cunningham was disappointed in UT's inability to prevent James from getting loose again.

"I've had a great week punting," he said Saturday. "I just hate that we come out and have one returned on us. The main goal of the punt is exchange of field for 40 yards and cover it and not have a return for a touchdown."

Career Low Tebow: Tennessee's defense made a little history against the Gators on Saturday. In a good way.

Quarterback Tim Tebow, last year's Heisman Trophy winner as a sophomore, had just 96 yards passing against the Vols, a career low in his 16 games as a starter. Tebow's 26 rushing yards were the second lowest total of his career since becoming UF's starter in 2007, second only to his minus-15 yards last year in a loss to Georgia.

Tebow's 122 yards of total offense are the lowest total of his career as a starter and about 111 yards fewer than his 233-yard average in his four losses.

No QB Controversy: Asked on his teleconference Sunday if Tennessee would consider looking at another quarterback besides starter Jonathan Crompton, Fulmer said, "Jon's our quarterback."

After three games, Crompton ranks 13th in the SEC in passing efficiency and 89th in the nation with a rating of 104.24. Only Mississippi State's Wesley Carroll rates lower among SEC quarterbacks who average at least 10 attempts a game.

Streaks: Saturday's loss snapped Tennessee's eight-game winning streak in Neyland Stadium. LSU's 28-24 victory over Tennessee on Nov. 4, 2006, was UT's last home loss. . . . Tennessee has lost its last three road games against ranked opponents (Cal 2007, Florida 2007, Arkansas 2006) heading into Saturday's game at Auburn. UT's last win over a ranked opponent on the road was a 51-33 victory over No. 10 Georgia in 2006.

Injury Report: Tennessee offensive lineman Vladimir Richard (sprained right knee) did not practice Sunday night. However, Fulmer said he expects Richard to be ready for Saturday's game at Auburn. Richard spent Sunday's hour-long practice inside Neyland-Thompson Center receiving treatment and was walking on crutches following practice. . . . Safety Demetrice Morley missed practice to finish a paper for a class.

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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