Jimmy Howell had this punt blocked in the bowl game.

ATLANTA – There’s really no other way to say it: this season special teams has been a huge disappointment. It can be argued that the third phase of the game cost the Cavaliers two victories this season, including Virginia’s 43-24 Chick-fil-A Bowl loss to Auburn on Saturday.

Entering the game there was little doubt that the defending BCS National Champions held the special teams advantage. The Tigers led the SEC in punting, kickoff returns and kickoff coverage. Auburn held opponents to a league-low 546 kickoff return yards this season as Cody Parkey booted 34 touchbacks, second-most in the SEC and third most nationally. AU finished the regular season third in the SEC and 16th in the NCAA in punting, averaging 39.2 yards per punt; the team had just 10 punts returned, fewest in the SEC.

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