As Tennessee embarks on the stretch run of this college football season, freshman Boo Carter has immersed himself in the starting lineup.
On multiple fronts.
The 5-foot-11, 195-pounder from Chattanooga, who was starring for Bradley Central in the Class 6A playoffs this time last year, made his second consecutive start at the “star” position during Saturday night’s 33-14 triumph over Mississippi State. He also earned his first start returning punts for the Volunteers, getting six opportunities and producing 56 yards for a 9.3-yard average.
“Boo is dynamic, athletic and just a young player continuing to grow,” Tennessee fourth-year coach Josh Heupel said after the Vols improved to 8-1 overall and 5-1 in Southeastern Conference action. “You trust him with everything that goes into returning. Defensively, he’s essentially the quarterback back there, commanding and controlling the defense and being a decision-maker.
“He’s continuing to grow, and you know that he’s dynamic with the ball in his hands, so it was awesome to get that from him.”
Carter’s only two other punt returns this season went for 55 yards in the 71-0 thrashing of Kent State on Sept. 14, so his average of 13.88 yards per return would rank eighth nationally if he met the NCAA’s minimum requirement average of 1.2 returns per game.
That could be remedied Saturday, when the No. 6 Vols (8-1, 5-1 SEC) visit a No. 11 Georgia (7-2, 5-2) seeking to rebound from this past weekend’s 28-10 loss at Ole Miss. Carter did not fair catch any punts against Mississippi State, even when the opposition was staring him in the face.
“I’m just keeping the offense from being backed up near the end zone,” Carter said. “I was trying to return every one of them so they wouldn’t be backed up. I don’t always have a green light, but it’s better for me to catch it and try to get some yards for the offense.”
Georgia is the stingiest team nationally when it comes to defending punt returns, as Bulldogs opponents have returned five this season for minus-8 yards.
Carter’s stat line against Mississippi State not only contained the six punt returns but two tackles, including a tackle for loss on the game’s first play from scrimmage, and an interception at the 5:53 mark of the opening quarter. It was the first collegiate pick for Carter, who returned it 9 yards to MSU’s 9-yard line.
“We were in a zone coverage,” Carter said. “I read the route. I tried to get to the end zone, but the linemen — I couldn’t see through them. I was trying to get through, but I was just happy I got it.”
Carter enrolled at Tennessee last December and believes he is successfully taking the practice preparation and the details that come with it into Saturday contests. He admits to having a huge passion for the game, and Heupel seems more than happy with his development.
“You just keep stacking days and weeks,” Heupel said. “It doesn’t always happen when you want it to happen, but it will happen. I think Boo’s consistency over the last month has really gained the trust from everybody on our staff. For him to go operate and do what he did was just natural.
“Boo is a young player who is continuing to get better in all areas, and I’m really proud of what he has done in his short amount of time here.”
Injury updates
Tennessee redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava didn’t play in the second half Saturday night after suffering what has been described as an upper-body injury.
The SEC doesn’t release its availability reports until Wednesday night, so it was not surprising that Iamaleava’s status quickly came up Monday during Heupel’s weekly news conference.
“He was with us today and had a really good day,” Heupel said. “I feel like he’ll be in great shape for Saturday. You guys can monitor whatever the report is that comes out on Wednesday and track it through the week, but I certainly feel like he’ll be in a good spot.”
Heupel also was asked about senior receiver Dont’e Thornton, who sustained an upper-body injury in the third quarter.
“I feel like Dont’e will be ready to go in this one, too,” Heupel said. “You can monitor the injury report. It starts on Wednesday.”
Odds and ends
Tennessee has lost seven consecutive meetings with Georgia and now trails that series 28-23-2. … Georgia’s campus is certain to be crowded Saturday with both “College GameDay” and “SEC Nation” broadcasting there. … Tennessee’s home finale Nov. 23 against UTEP will have a 1 p.m. kickoff, and it will have the ESPN+ streaming option.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com.