ATHENS, Ga. — It’s impossible for Tennessee and Georgia to be further apart on kickoff returns entering Saturday’s game in Neyland Stadium.
The Volunteers lead the nation with a 37.9-yard average, with Evan Berry having recorded an 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Western Carolina and a 96-yard return for a score to open last Saturday night’s loss to Arkansas. Berry is the first Tennessee player with multiple kickoff returns for touchdowns in the same season since Willie Gault had three in 1980.
Georgia, meanwhile, ranks last nationally with 14.0 yards per kickoff return. Junior receiver Reggie Davis has six returns for 124 yards (20.7 yards a return), but the other 10 returns by the Bulldogs have netted 100 yards (10.0 a return).
Bulldogs coach Mark Richt said Tuesday that he is impressed by what Tennessee is accomplishing, but he is not alarmed by Georgia’s low average.
“Prior to this last game, there had been a bunch of bloop kicks, and you’re not going to get very many very yards on those returns,” Richt said. “Sometimes you fair catch it at the 32-yard line, and sometimes you get 6 tough yards. Our average starting yard line is in much better shape than our yards per return.