The punt team has taken the brunt of the criticism and it is very well deserved. We all know about the punts getting blocked, and that is a problem of its own. But check this out. That whole goofy formation we use (that causes us to get punts blocked
) is designed to help in covering the punt and limiting return yards. So since we continue to use that formation, we must be covering punts really well, right? WRONG. We are ranked 108th in 1A in punt return average allowed (13.8 ). So along with this, we are 118th in net punting. So there is absolutely nothing that the spread punt formation adds, why are we still using it???Kickoffs, same story. We have given up big returns to the tune that we are ranked 118th is 1A in this category as well. Opponents are averaging 27.5 yards per return. This means they are starting about the 35 after a kickoff. Nothing like getting a score and gaining momentum only to give it all back by allowing the opponent to start with good field position.
Now onto the two most overlooked but almost equally atrocius areas, kickoff return and punt return. These two areas have been overlooked because the kick and punt teams have been so bad they have caught all our attention. We are averaging 6.5 yards per punt return, that ranks 89th. Kickoff returns is just as bad if not worse. We average just 18.0 yards per kick return. That ranks 99th.
This is pathetic. There is not one single area where our special teams units are even close to being average. Maybe its coaching. Maybe we don't practice it at all. But doesn't it make sense that if we put any real effort into special teams, we would at least be average in one category? We are not. We are in the bottom in every category. And when I say coaching, I am not calling out Durkin. I have no idea what kind of experience he has or if he just got the title of special teams coach because he drew the short straw. I am talking about the head coach. If something isn't working, you change. We haven't changed a thing. It's like he has accepted this is the best we can do and doesn't try to improve.
A huge majority of practice is dedicated to strictly special teams. My understanding is that the grad assistants do a majority of the work with the special teams as well. Why havent they changed the punt formation? Beats the hell outta me.......But GB needs to step up and take more charge of this area.....cuz it obviously is killing us...