Special Teams

by speedomike on Aug 6, 2008 1:35 PM EDT

With all the talk about the new-fangled offense, and the offseason hits the defense took, there's an aspect of this team that's being overlooked. We could be filthy on special teams. Phil Steele has us as the #2 ST in the country ledbyVHTWallace(PS#2)!!!! So that's a good thing.

Taking a look at what we bring on special teams:

-Kevin Kelly is money from inside the 40. Inconsistent beyond that. Good!

-Derrick Williams is one of the better punt returners in the conference. Great!

-AJ Wallace had the highest KR average of any returning....uh....returner in the Big Ten. Grand!

-Jeremy Boone led the Big Ten in punting last year. Wonderful!

No yelling on the bus! (I couldn't get the video into the post.)

The kickoff coverage was horrendous last year, but it seems like we've got the athletes to get that fixed. If so, I think our special teams can be a big part of our success this year, and take some pressure of the offense and defense.

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Comments

Don't forget...

our punt coverage was top-10 and I believe we had the 2nd best Net punt yardage.

by Screen Name 20 on Aug 6, 2008 1:53 PM EDT reply actions

You have to wonder

how much Jeremy Boone kicking the crap out of the ball contibuted to that, especially considering the poor kickoff coverage.

For the Glory; National Champions 1982, 1986, 1994,

by jesse. on Aug 6, 2008 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Net Punting

I just looked it up, and PSU was 3rd. But in regards to your question, it was a combination of both…Boone was top-20 in terms of avg (43yd/punt) and the return defense was top 10 (5.35 yds), which is pretty impressive considering long punts put your return team defense at a disadvantage. Both teams above us, Cinncy and Toledo, out-punted us but gave those yards back due to longer returns.

One weird observation was that Florida punted 37 times but only 5 were returned.

by Screen Name 20 on Aug 6, 2008 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Thank you Speedo!!

all too often is the Special Team is overlooked by fans…

I would like to see Green have a crack at returning some kickoffs…

by WETSU on Aug 6, 2008 2:05 PM EDT reply actions

Agree

Seems like a good place to use him.

by speedomike on Aug 6, 2008 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions

2007 PSU MVP

Jeremy Boone. How many games did we win by a touchdown or less*—those 40 yard punts saved our butts because we often won with our defense on the field with good field position after a Morelli 3-and-out.

*the answer is 3

by millzners on Aug 7, 2008 12:41 PM EDT reply actions