The Hidden Third
Ah, special teams. It decides ball games. Coaches preach its importance. And it can make a player a star. Yet, for many fans, it remains overshadowed by its sexier cousins offense and defense, making it the "hidden third" of the game. For NU, special teams helped decide many close ball games last season (Pitt, KSU). And, considering the improvement between 2004 and 2005, there are reasons to be optimistic about NU's specialty teams heading in to 2006. But, some questions remain to be answered, particularly at punter.
Splitting the Uprights
Jordan Congdon returns to handle the kicking duties for NU, which is good news. He was 19-23 on field goal attempts last year, and 31-32 on PATs. If it weren't for the big-legged Mason Crosby at CU, he could be considered the best kicker in the Big 12 and he's just a sophomore. He showed considerable clutch in making a game-winning field goal against KSU at the end of the game. Fans can only hope that he continues to mature both mentally as physically as a kicker.
NU forced few touchbacks from opponents in their kickoff coverage last year, leaving some to wonder if Congdon has the kind of leg to put one deep on kicks. This may also be due to NU's special teams strategy of using high or "pop up" kicks to slow a returner down and cover them inside the 20. I've also heard rumblings of the NCAA changing the kick-off tee so that it makes touchbacks less frequent, and help speed up the game.
Big Shoe To Fill
In 2005, Sam Koch was an absolute weapon for NU. His efforts helped NU to lead the Big 12 in net punting average (and also 2nd in the nation). His punts helped keep the Husker defense out of some very tight spots. Koch was rewarded with an NFL contract, and left NU with a big punter's shoe to fill.
Right now, Dan Titchener appears to be the leading candidate to replace Koch. Titchener averaged 44.5 yards per kick in the Spring Game. Though, there was no rush put on that day. NU has had a great run of punters in general the last 3 years, confirming a theory Steve espouses about how talent runs - "behind one great player, you'll often find...another great player". NU can only hope their run continues, with Titchener or one of the other punters on the roster.
Many Happy Returns
The punt return game got off to an awful start under Callahan in 2004. NU averaged a paltry 5.8 yards per return that year, placing them at the bottom of the conference and the country. 2005 saw great improvements. Led by Terrence Nunn's 18.3 yards-per-return average and Cortney Grixby's 10.4 yard average, NU average nearly 13 yards per return last season. That was 2nd in the conference and 17th in the country.
The outlook for 2006 is optimistic as both Nunn and Grixby return, and the roster is filled with many other potential return men. Nunn has been listed as the preseason All-Big 12 punt returner by te Big 12 media, USA Today, and other publications. Providing the coaches continue to emphasize the return game, NU should have the players in place to break some punt returns this year.
NU's kickoff return game hasn't been as productive, averaging 19.7 yards (6th in the conference, and 79th in the country). They have capable returners, but have not yet gotten the pieces in place for big returns. Marlon Lucky's nullified TD return against Kansas last season is a microcosm of the situation. Fans can fully expect coaches to place greater emphasis on the kick-return game in order to free up the playmaking potential in 2006.
Will the Block Party Continue?
NU had major success in blocking field goals in 2005. Deploying a "big guy in the middle" method in the form of 6'5" Zach Potter, the Huskers blocked 6 field goals last season, including 2 in a one-point win against Pitt. You don't need too much more evidence that blocked kicks change and win games. With NU returning ample talent and size and continuing to emphasize the blocked FG, Husker fans might realistically expect more of the same in 2006.
NU's ability to block punts took a dip from 2004 to 2005. But, for blocks of all kinds, I considered that a reflection of the total talent level of a team. "Special" players are often the ones to block kicks and punts (Terrell Farley, Baron Miles, etc). I think as NU continues to stockpile athletes, there will be a greater probability for blocked opponent punts, and the spoils they bring.
» Enjoy this article?
Send it to your friend or get Husker news by email!
Related Stories: Special Teams
Post a comment