For the first time this season, Tennessee football defensive back Boo Carter got the chance to return punts. Besides falling short of taking one all the way for a touchdown, he absolutely made the most of the opportunity.
Carter got four chances to return it. He totalled 94 yards in this area, including one that went 40 yards down to the five-yard line. He did not return punts in the season opener against Syracuse, but did play STAR in the secondary. He also got action in this role in the win over the Buccaneers.
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel credited Carter with the flashy moves to create dynamic returns, but also gave a nod to the blocking that gave him a chance.
“Boo certainly has an ability to impact the game,” Heupel said. “I think Boo would tell you this, too, it starts with the guys up front. The guy got the ball in his hands like a running back, man. Starts up front. I thought we did a really good job holding that line scrimmage and creating some opportunities for vertical seams. Boo did a really good job making some plays. Cuts one back, bounces it and was electric with the ball in his hands. Special teams has got to be an area that we win on each Saturday. And the return game is a big part of that, Boo is certainly a massive part of it today.”
Boo Carter: Playmaker 🔥 pic.twitter.com/e1prddDL88
— FOX Sports Knoxville (@FOXSportsKnox) September 6, 2025
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Tennessee’s starting quarterback, Joey Aguilar, was also fond of the returns. It consistently set him up with great field position, which he turned into 48 half-time points and ultimately what would be a modern-era program record 72 points.
Aguilar threw for 288 yards and two touchdowns in the game on 23-of-31 passing. Thanks to the great field position, he led scoring drives that went just five, 26, 27 and 38 yards.
“Field position, that changes the game,” Aguilar said. “And Boo being able to get us in that position to get us in the end zone in a couple plays, automatic points. When you’re that close, you got three or you got seven, so that helps a lot.”
Tennessee’s next test is a highly anticipated matchup with Georgia at home. College GameDay will be in town and the crowd at Neyland Stadium will be ‘checkered.’ Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
While Daune Morris, a freshman running back, also got the chance to return punts, it feels like Carter may have fully snagged back his role in the position.
