More Special Teams
Even USC coach Pete Carroll could not defend the Desmond Reed's fumbled punt return, which Reed actually recovered.
``That was a horrific return,'' Carroll said. ``We weren't even set up to return the kick when he tried to catch it.''
On the plus side, props to Strength and Conditioning Coach Chris Carlisle. Didn't Dez wrestle the football away from a 300 lb brute at the bottom of the pile?
The only thing I thought when I saw him try to catch that ball was: "Great I guess this is karma for the OU fumble recovery in the NC game." Horrible decision by an experienced player.
The only thing I thought when I saw him try to catch that ball was: "Great I guess this is karma for the OU fumble recovery in the NC game." Horrible decision by an experienced player.
Little player, big heart. Dez pulled a Michael Jordan, ala, refuse to lose (the ball). But yeah, Desmond must has some enormous forearms too.
I am a Husker fan and depressed about the 21 garbage time points. Now everyone thinks the offense did fine and absurd NFL short passing game scheme is a good idea in the college game. It is not. Being able to run the ball is still #1. Spending all of your time just trying to get the offense down robs you of the time and reps needed to master the running game. Simplify things or N will never win 10 games again.
Punt and kickoff returns were by and large awful last season, and they have started out the same this year.
Why can't we shore up this facet of the game instead of leaving ourselves deep in our own territory, ala kickoff to start Neb. game. Turned out well, but....!
I think our special team play has been our weakest area for years period! I think it's even worst than our short pass defense tactics. Sam Anno may be a big workout freaking hulk of a man but he's sure not got a clue as to coaching our special team.
Q. Who plays special teams?
A. Players who aren't quite good enough to start on offense or defense.
Seems to me that a school with number one recruiting classes year in and year out should have the best special teams in the country because even the players who can't make the first team depth chart are really, really good. So why is SC's special teams so less-than-ordinary? Must be the coaching. I'd really like them to figure it out though, because with this defense and the potential of this offense, this team could be something really special.
Fight On!
Is it possible that our problem on special teams is humility? Special teams is typically made up of the guys who are not starting or at the top of the depth chart. However, none of these guys are used to "not being the man" to quote Stafon Johnson...I hope we can figure it out and shore up this area.
Fight On!
Tim, I think sometimes the ST guys try TOO hard, especially in terms of kick/punt return coverage. Our guys swarm down the field but they sometimes go outside their lanes to chase the ball and then the return guy has a chance to blow past them. Stay in your lanes, guys! I have to agree, though; I tend to hold my breath when ST is on the field.