2012 Recap - Part 2 of 4 - Special Teams
The Hornet special teams had huge voids in the kicking game heading into the season but returned plenty of experience everywhere else. The coverage and return teams were looking to build off of a so-so 2011 season but were inconsistent from week to week as the season unfolded. Traditionally the Hornets manage to block a few punts; however the rule changes implemented during the offseason seemed to have marginalized that aspect of the special teams out of the game. Looking at the numbers it was a respectable season for special teams under Coach DaPrato; however the excruciatingly poor play at the end of the season by multiple units left a negative view of the special teams overall performance.
The coaches brought in a plethora of kickers to address the kicking issues and (#58) Edgar Castaneda beat out (#53) Brad Cornish and (#52) Edward Ruhnke to win the place kicking duties. Castaneda went on to have a good season and earned a scholarship with the game winning kick at Colorado. Although Castaneda had some misses, he drilled all of the short range kicks and provided some much needed confidence in the kicking game. There were some blocked PAT’s this season which is concerning. I can’t say if these were due to low kicks or blown blocking assignments but this problem reoccurred multiple times throughout the season and will need to get cleaned up heading into next season.
The punting duties also had its question marks. The coaches brought in (#45) Justin Weldon to compete with returner (#57) Smith Heath for the punting duties. Heath won the role and after a solid start to the season quickly regressed into 2011 form and lost the job to Weldon in week 3. Weldon went on to have a solid year and will no doubt be the punter next season. The punt coverage was fine all season long but it did have its lapses. The Hornets allowed a punt return for a TD against UNC in large part to a low line drive punt by Heath (his last punt of the season), however the punt coverage team largely had a solid season once Weldon and his hang time was able to keep opposing punt returners under wraps.
The kickoff duties bounced around between the kickers. Each seemed to struggle with distance and placement so it was a constant rotation throughout the season. IMO these duties are up for grabs heading into the offseason and one of the kickers will need to step up and fill this role. The kickoff coverage was inconsistent all season long. The Hornet coverage would do well one game but completely fall apart the next. There are enough athletes on the roster that the coverage team should be consistent game in and game out. The kickoff coverage team will need to improve next season and clean up the sloppy play.
The return units were a mixed bag. The kickoff returning was solid and ranked at the top of the BSC. (#24) Sam McCowan and (#2) DeAndre Carter provided solid returns on a consistent basis. Neither were able to take one to the house but they provided some exciting returns quite often. The punt returning didn’t get much going and ended the season on a sour note. Carter started the season as the punt returner until (#13) Morrise Norrise took over the duties. Both had their struggles and Coach DaPrato will need to find a solution next season. A lot of punts were allowed to bounce for negative yards and the it seemed to be such that the returners were constantly out of position.
Team Rankings (regular season)
Kickers
I’m adding a new section in the recaps that ranks the immediate needs for each unit. This will take into consideration which players are graduating and what voids will need to be filled for next season. They will be listed in order of greatest need. If it’s not listed, then I assume the returning players will maintain those roles (ex. kicking and punting will be fine heading into 2013).
I expect improvement across the board on special teams. The kicking game has a year of experience under their belt so the kickers need to refine their craft and work towards improvement. The main focus elsewhere on special teams will need to be minimizing mistakes. Whether it is blown blocking assignments on field goals/PAT blocking, blown coverage on a kickoff or punt, or poor ball control during a return; the mistakes needs to be minimized.
Lastly, I’ll conclude the special teams recap by pointing out that the coaches need to get it together here. Too many boneheaded decisions by Coach DaPrato and/or Coach Sperbeck at a time when this program can ill afford those lapses during critical moments of the game. I’ve been high on DaPrato for the things he has done in the past wrt punt blocking schemes and the usually dependable coverage play but ending the season like the Hornets did on special teams is unacceptable and embarrassing. DaPrato went over the top with the gimmicks and trick plays when they weren’t really needed and it cost this program a win. If the coaches can settle down, pull their heads out of the clouds (or elsewhere) and ensure that the special teams units can just take care of the fundamental aspects of field goal/PAT blocking, kick/punt returning, and kick/punt coverage; everything else will take care of itself.
As always my thoughts and analysis are always up for discussion. Please feel free to add your input.
GO HORNETS!!!
Next: Part 3 of 4 – Offense
The Hornet special teams had huge voids in the kicking game heading into the season but returned plenty of experience everywhere else. The coverage and return teams were looking to build off of a so-so 2011 season but were inconsistent from week to week as the season unfolded. Traditionally the Hornets manage to block a few punts; however the rule changes implemented during the offseason seemed to have marginalized that aspect of the special teams out of the game. Looking at the numbers it was a respectable season for special teams under Coach DaPrato; however the excruciatingly poor play at the end of the season by multiple units left a negative view of the special teams overall performance.
The coaches brought in a plethora of kickers to address the kicking issues and (#58) Edgar Castaneda beat out (#53) Brad Cornish and (#52) Edward Ruhnke to win the place kicking duties. Castaneda went on to have a good season and earned a scholarship with the game winning kick at Colorado. Although Castaneda had some misses, he drilled all of the short range kicks and provided some much needed confidence in the kicking game. There were some blocked PAT’s this season which is concerning. I can’t say if these were due to low kicks or blown blocking assignments but this problem reoccurred multiple times throughout the season and will need to get cleaned up heading into next season.
The punting duties also had its question marks. The coaches brought in (#45) Justin Weldon to compete with returner (#57) Smith Heath for the punting duties. Heath won the role and after a solid start to the season quickly regressed into 2011 form and lost the job to Weldon in week 3. Weldon went on to have a solid year and will no doubt be the punter next season. The punt coverage was fine all season long but it did have its lapses. The Hornets allowed a punt return for a TD against UNC in large part to a low line drive punt by Heath (his last punt of the season), however the punt coverage team largely had a solid season once Weldon and his hang time was able to keep opposing punt returners under wraps.
The kickoff duties bounced around between the kickers. Each seemed to struggle with distance and placement so it was a constant rotation throughout the season. IMO these duties are up for grabs heading into the offseason and one of the kickers will need to step up and fill this role. The kickoff coverage was inconsistent all season long. The Hornet coverage would do well one game but completely fall apart the next. There are enough athletes on the roster that the coverage team should be consistent game in and game out. The kickoff coverage team will need to improve next season and clean up the sloppy play.
The return units were a mixed bag. The kickoff returning was solid and ranked at the top of the BSC. (#24) Sam McCowan and (#2) DeAndre Carter provided solid returns on a consistent basis. Neither were able to take one to the house but they provided some exciting returns quite often. The punt returning didn’t get much going and ended the season on a sour note. Carter started the season as the punt returner until (#13) Morrise Norrise took over the duties. Both had their struggles and Coach DaPrato will need to find a solution next season. A lot of punts were allowed to bounce for negative yards and the it seemed to be such that the returners were constantly out of position.
Team Rankings (regular season)
- • Net Punting: 8th in BSC (31st FCS) with an average of 36.8 yards per punt.
• Punt Returns: 5th in BSC (38th FCS) with an average of 9.4 yards per punt return.
• Kickoff Returns: 2nd in BSC (5th FCS) with an average of 25.1 yards per kickoff return.
• Punt Coverage: Allowed 8.6 yards per punt return, 1 TD, 1 blocked punt.
• Net Kickoff: 11th in BSC with an average of 38.9 yards per kickoff, 9 touchbacks.
• Kickoff Coverage: Allowed 22.0 yards per kickoff return, 1 TD allowed.
• Field Goal %: 6th in BSC, 11/15, 73.3%
• PAT %: 10th in BSC, 34/37, 91.9%
- • (#24) Sam McCowan, KR/RB: He was a huge contributor on special teams and was voted Special Teams MVP for this season. He returned kickoffs and I believe he was on the kick coverage team as well. He saw significant action in all four years as a Hornet and his graduation will leave a significant void in the return game. He leaves as the 4th leading kick returner in Hornet history. (8 career starts at RB, played in all 44 games of his career)
• (#41) Jimmy Bobak, LS/TE: Provided the long snapping duties for the past three seasons. Rarely had an off target snap and was consistent game in and game out. Every punt and field goal/PAT starter with him and he did an excellent job. (33 career appearances)
- • (#58) Edgar Castaneda, K: Returns for his SR season. He walked on, won the starting spot in fall camp and earned a scholarship on his game winning kick at Colorado. He only had one miss on FG’s less than 40 yards. There is room for improvement but he had a solid season and filled a huge void in the kicking game. (11 appearances)
• (#45) Justin Weldon, P: Returns for his SR season. The coaches brought him in to compete for the punting duties and he took advantage of his opportunities when he was called upon. He displayed both a booming leg and the ability to pin opponents inside the 20. (9 appearances)
• (#2) DeAndre Carter, KR/PR/WR: Returns for his JR season. I was hoping he could turn into a game changer, but he isn’t quite there yet. He suffered a broken foot in the middle of the season that may have hampered him the rest of the season. He should retain his kick return duties and could get another shot at punt returning duties as well. (18 career appearances)
• (#13) Morris Norrise, PR/WR: Returns for his SR season. He took over the punt returning duties and did a good job up until the final game of the season. I expect him to be in the running to retain the punt return duties and to rebound from the sour note he finished the season on. (33 career appearances)
• (#22) Corey Vanderbeek, DB: Returns for his SR season. Didn’t get a punt block this season but he continued to be one of the top performers on special teams. His leadership will be needed to shore up the inconsistent kickoff coverage. (33 career appearances)
• (#4) Mason Magleby, P/QB: Returns for his SR season. He was used on a couple of occasions as a punter to throw the opponents a curve. His line drive roll out punting was effective and having him lineup at punter provides the option for a fake if the opportunity presents itself. He also served as the holder on FG & PAT’s. (11 appearances)
• (#52) Edward Ruhnke, K: Returns for his JR season. He saw action for the kickoff duties but was somewhat inconsistent. His lone FG attempt was that 53 yard debacle against MSU which shouldn’t be held against him. He will be vying for the kickoff duties and possibly as the distance FG kicker next season. (Appeared in 6 games)
• (#53) Brad Cornish, K: Returns for his SO season. He got some kickoff attempts but wasn’t impressive enough to beat out the other kickers. If he steps p his game there is no reason why he won’t get consideration for more time next season should the other kickers falter.(Appeared in 4 games)
• (#57) Smith Heath, P: Returns for his JR season. He came into the season off of a shaky performance the season prior but earned the start at punter. He started the season well but then shanked his way out of the starting role by week 3. (6 career appearances)
Kickers
- • Castaneda: 11/14 (78.6%) FG’s, long of 50 yds, 34/37 (91.9%) PAT’s, 21 kickoffs for 61.6 ypk, 3 TB’s, 1 FG & 3 PAT’s blocked
• Ruhnke: 0/1 (0%) FG’s, 27 kickoffs for 59.2 ypk, 2 TB’s
• Cornish: 9 kickoffs for 60.2 ypk
• Weldon: 36 punts for 42.8 ypp, long of 68 yds, 14 I-20, 7 FC’s, 2 TB’s
• Heath: 13 punts for 36.7 ypp, long of 51 yds, 1 I-20, 1 FC’s, 1 TB
• Magleby: 2 punts for 44.0 ypp, long of 68 yds, 2 I-20
- • McCowan: 14 kick returns for 333 yds (23.8 ypr), long of 45 yds
• D. Carter: 7 kick returns for 200 yds (28.6 ypr), long of 66 yds, 6 punt returns for 56 yds (9.3 ypr), long of 20
• Norrise: 13 punt returns for 130 yds (10.0 ypr), long of 44
• Coleman: 2 kick returns for 57 yds (28.5 ypr), long of 41 yds
• Graham: 1 kick return for 33 yds
• Sankey: 1 kick return for 5 yds
I’m adding a new section in the recaps that ranks the immediate needs for each unit. This will take into consideration which players are graduating and what voids will need to be filled for next season. They will be listed in order of greatest need. If it’s not listed, then I assume the returning players will maintain those roles (ex. kicking and punting will be fine heading into 2013).
- 1. Long Snapper – It was posted that (#59) Josh Latham is the possible replacement for Bobak. The game notes list Magleby (?!?) as the backup long snapper. Regardless I view this as a position that isn’t difficult to fill but a crucial component to punts and place kicks. Hopefully there has been someone getting lots of reps in practice alongside Bobak this season. This will be something to watch for when spring camp rolls around.
2. Punt Returner – Odds are Norrise will be the likely player to continue in this role. He did a fine job up until the Causeway blunder. However there is no reason why Coach DaPrato shouldn’t open this up to competition in spring and fall camp.
3. Kick Returner – With McCowan graduating the Hornets will have an open spot alongside Carter for these duties. Coleman had a couple of returns this season but this is something that will probably be open for competition during spring and fall camp.
I expect improvement across the board on special teams. The kicking game has a year of experience under their belt so the kickers need to refine their craft and work towards improvement. The main focus elsewhere on special teams will need to be minimizing mistakes. Whether it is blown blocking assignments on field goals/PAT blocking, blown coverage on a kickoff or punt, or poor ball control during a return; the mistakes needs to be minimized.
Lastly, I’ll conclude the special teams recap by pointing out that the coaches need to get it together here. Too many boneheaded decisions by Coach DaPrato and/or Coach Sperbeck at a time when this program can ill afford those lapses during critical moments of the game. I’ve been high on DaPrato for the things he has done in the past wrt punt blocking schemes and the usually dependable coverage play but ending the season like the Hornets did on special teams is unacceptable and embarrassing. DaPrato went over the top with the gimmicks and trick plays when they weren’t really needed and it cost this program a win. If the coaches can settle down, pull their heads out of the clouds (or elsewhere) and ensure that the special teams units can just take care of the fundamental aspects of field goal/PAT blocking, kick/punt returning, and kick/punt coverage; everything else will take care of itself.
As always my thoughts and analysis are always up for discussion. Please feel free to add your input.
GO HORNETS!!!
Next: Part 3 of 4 – Offense
