Special Teams

[Guest GrayEagleOne]

Although it's only one game, kudos are in order to Coach Gandy for the improvement in special teams.

Kickoff Coverage

Last Year opponents' kickoff returns averaged 30.97 yards. This game they averaged 16.9 yards.

Punt Coverage

Last Year opponents' punt return average was 13.07. This game 4.5.

Kickoff Returns

Last Year our kickoff returns averaged 18.54. This year 20.0.

Punt Returns

Last Year our punt returns averaged 4.60. No average this year as Royce had to fair catch all seven punts.

Kickoffs

Last Year Knott averaged 61.90 but that included kickoffs into the wind, onside, etc. The only game this year was under a little more ideal conditions and he averaged 66.40 yards per kickoff (which tied him at 25 nationally).

Punting

Again, there were many more negative conditions throughout the year but Spencer averaged 42.59 per punt. Atterberry averaged 47.00 on three punts. If he could have averaged that with one more kick he would have placed 8th in the nation.

Field Goals

This one fell a little. Knott kicked 2 of 4 field goals, missing two 47-yarders. That's only 50% compared to last year's 70.6%.

Extra Points

Knott was a perfect 2 for 2 in this game. Last year his XP average was only 78.6.

That's improvement in every area except punt returns (which can't be compared until there is one) and field goals. Weather will no doubt affect the kickers down the line but I thought that (especially) the coverage and return teams showed a lot of improvement.

It appears that Knott has different kicking mechanics on the longer kicks as pointed out by RickM and others.

Edited September 8, 2009 by GrayEagleOne

[greenminer]

Anyone else notice Special Teams coverage after our first touchdown?

The kickoff unit swamped the return man like 5 missiles that couldn't be stopped. I could tell they came to play.

[UNT90]

Punt Returns

Last Year our punt returns averaged 4.60. No average this year as Royce had to fair catch all seven punts.

This fact alone is cause for celebration. I had the over/under for opponent punts at 2 going into the Ball St. game.

[NT80]

Except for the two missed 47-yard fieldgoals I thought special teams really were special Thursday night for a change. 47-yard punting for a freshman's first college game is excellent.

[Shuke-D]

Atterberry averaged 47.00 on three punts. If he could have averaged that with one more kick he would have placed 8th in the nation.

This says quite a bit about the offense as well (game plan and execution). Just three punts. That has a lot to do with the TOP advantage for the game.