For first-year Tennessee coach Butch Jones, the reality about his team’s underwhelming special teams truly set in late in the 2013 season against Auburn.
Surrendering an NCAA record with Auburn’s nearly 45 yards per return on seven combined kickoffs and punts – including Chris Davis’ 85-yard punt return touchdown and another score off a 90-yard kickoff runback by Corey Grant – made it obvious in an embarrassing 55-23 loss.
“I go back to Year 1, our deficiencies on special teams were extremely exposed when we played Auburn,” Jones said. “Their team speed took over the game and they changed the game.