Tennessee kicker Derrick Brodus kicks the extra point to take the score to 51-6 over Georgia State in the fourth quarter at Neyland Stadium last Saturday. Coach Derek Dooley said Monday that Brodus will handle the place-kicking against Florida instead of Michael Palardy.
KNOXVILLE — Derrick Brodus won’t be napping on his couch if Tennessee needs him to kick an extra point or a field goal Saturday.
The Volunteers are opting for an early-week decision instead of the last-minute emergency call that made the walk-on a fan hero last November.
Tennessee coach Derek Dooley announced at his news conference Monday that Brodus would handle the 23rd-ranked Vols’ kicking duties in the showdown with No. 18 Florida ahead of junior Michael Palardy, who missed a field-goal try and an extra point against Georgia State.
“He’s made every kick every time he’s been out there,” Dooley said of Brodus. “He kicks it high. He’s got a nice calm about him, but we’ll see.”
A junior from nearby Alcoa High School, Brodus was asleep when Tennessee needed him to kick against Middle Tennessee State last season after Palardy was injured and backup Chip Rhome got hurt in pregame warmups. The left-footer made three extra points and one field goal that night. The stage is much larger this time.