KNOXVILLE – One player gets the glory.
The other 10 are essential to the success.
Tennessee entered November with the leading kickoff return man in the country in Evan Berry and the third-leading punt returner in Cameron Sutton, but the Volunteers wouldn’t be as good as they’ve been in the return game this season without good schemes and better blocking.
Tennessee defensive back Evan Berry runs a kickoff return for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015, in Lexington, Ky. Tennessee won 52-21.Last week against Kentucky, Tennessee scored its fourth and fifth return touchdowns of the season and took a punt and kickoff back for scores in the same game – something that hadn’t happened since 1950 – for the second time this season.
“Guys have wanted to be on there from the time that we’ve been here,” Mark Elder, the Vols’ special teams coordinator and tight ends coach, said after Tuesday’s practice. “We emphasize special teams a great deal, and that’s part of why we’re successful, is we put a lot of emphasis on it. We practice these units every single day.