Special teams were flawless last night

[Eric15]

I didn't see a thread exclusively about special teams, so I figure I would start one. Could we finally be going back to the glory days of the mid to late 90s when we were awesome on special teams?

-Our kickoff coverage was insanely good. Gave up only 7.9 yards per kick return, and laid the wood on a few hits.
-9/9 kicking, 7 extra points and 2 field goals.
-Multiple times they squibbed it to our up-men, and these slow, lumbering guys actually made some great 20 yard returns, which gave us fantastic field position at critical junctions of the game.
-Hofrichter looked like an NFL punter last night.

 

[kcsu]

Our PK looked so solid. Great stroke.

 

[OrangeTarheel]

Their kicking game was so bad it would have been counterproductive to try and block — but I really wanted to see how that aspect of our game has improved. Special teams overall looked great. Were those squib kicks out of respect for Cordy?

 

[cusefan88]

The new guy looked good! Szymt? I didn't recgonize the number then he put in that 40+ yarder with ease.

 

[SmilinBob]

Plus watching Ruff and Elmore run back kick offs was like watching a tidal wave coming at you. Shy had a nice run and move too...loved that!

 

[OttoinGrotto]

The new guy looked good! Szymt? I didn't recgonize the number then he put in that 40+ yarder with ease.

I don't want to know anything about him. Just have an absolute mysery man kicking field goals.

 

[LAOrange]

Their kicking game was so bad it would have been counterproductive to try and block — but I really wanted to see how that aspect of our game has improved. Special teams overall looked great. Were those squib kicks out of respect for Cordy?

No, Cordy was on punts. Riley was on kickoffs.

 

[MadNY3]

I didn't see a thread exclusively about special teams, so I figure I would start one. Could we finally be going back to the glory days of the mid to late 90s when we were awesome on special teams?

-Our kickoff coverage was insanely good. Gave up only 7.9 yards per kick return, and laid the wood on a few hits.
-9/9 kicking, 7 extra points and 2 field goals.
-Multiple times they squibbed it to our up-men, and these slow, lumbering guys actually made some great 20 yard returns, which gave us fantastic field position at critical junctions of the game.
-Hofrichter looked like an NFL punter last night.

This is huge and a must.

With the increased depth and the supposed awesomeness of the S&C program, we need to have Special Teams be all 1990s again for us to be successful.

Pumped if this area continues like Friday.

 

[DomeStranger]

I agree specials were great. My lone piece of criticism would be rushing the punter. Zero pressure or even much effort to at least make the punter feel like he's got to punt it. It didn't hurt us Friday but it's has in the past and probably will in the future. Punters are just too relaxed, have all day, and teams are going to notice and wait until their players are at least 20 yards downfield before they punt.

Just to be clear, I'm not talking about trying for a block, but you have to keep them honest or else opposing ACC kickers are just going to continue to kick long, deep, and accurate without any chance for a good return.

 

[cuse309]

With everyone caught up in their "why did Dino put in TD so soon, and leave him in so long" conspiracy theories, the great showing by special teams was just kind of lost in the wind. Too bad, because it's going to be the difference in some games this year. I'm surprised more people weren't commenting on their stellar play.

 

[cuse309]

I agree specials were great. My lone piece of criticism would be rushing the punter. Zero pressure or even much effort to at least make the punter feel like he's got to punt it. It didn't hurt us Friday but it's has in the past and probably will in the future. Punters are just too relaxed, have all day, and teams are going to notice and wait until their players are at least 20 yards downfield before they punt.

Just to be clear, I'm not talking about trying for a block, but you have to keep them honest or else opposing ACC kickers are just going to continue to kick long, deep, and accurate without any chance for a good return.

I could be wrong, but I believe this is done by design to get more guys back in position to block. I recall this being done the first 2 years under Dino. Depending on the situation, he'll occasionally send the house.

 

[MadNY3]

I agree specials were great. My lone piece of criticism would be rushing the punter. Zero pressure or even much effort to at least make the punter feel like he's got to punt it. It didn't hurt us Friday but it's has in the past and probably will in the future. Punters are just too relaxed, have all day, and teams are going to notice and wait until their players are at least 20 yards downfield before they punt.

Just to be clear, I'm not talking about trying for a block, but you have to keep them honest or else opposing ACC kickers are just going to continue to kick long, deep, and accurate without any chance for a good return.

Or maybe, they don't want to show opposing ACC ST coaches what they do? I sure as heck wouldn't in a game like this.