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Special teams, the thing nobody likes to talk about when comparing two teams ahead of a game. The offense will get some praise for putting up points and making big plays, while the defense gets some attention for stopping a powerful offense and shutting out opponents. Special teams, however, doesn’t get mentioned much unless a game-winning kick was made or missed, or there was a touchdown on a kick or punt return.
That doesn’t stop the players from knowing how important the position group is and how just one play can change the game, no matter who is on the field. Linebacker Khaleke Hudson made a record two weeks ago against Michigan State, blocking his fifth punt in his career, a new Michigan record.
Last week against Indiana he almost had two more, which would have bumped it up to seven for a four-year career. While one or two in a career is special, five is just something else.
“I take a lot of pride in that,” Hudson said. “I work every day, every practice with Coach Partridge, trying to perfect my craft. Big plays at the end of the game, those are game-changing plays and I (pride) myself on making game-changing plays. It’s just important to the team, It’s important to myself also.”
Blocking a punt or kick can be a huge momentum shift in a game, and Hudson blocking the punt against MSU two weeks ago not only was huge, but it also started the avalanche of a 17 point fourth quarter for the Wolverines. Michigan was already up 27-10 in the final quarter, but after Hudson blocked the punt, it set up an easy 22-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Shea Patterson to wide receiver Nico Collins to make it 34-10.
“I think the third quarter hurt us with the first interception and then at the beginning of the fourth quarter, I guess the blocked punt – the exchange there, the third and fourth quarter, the blocked punt sort of turned it.” MSU head coach Mark Dantonio said after the 44-10 loss to Michigan. “We had an obviously a very ugly fourth quarter. Too many problems, too many situations.”
Now going up against Ohio State, this will be a talking point when it comes to special teams in this game. Hudson knows how important the play can be in a game, and in this week’s game it can certainly help lead a comeback, or like it did against MSU, open the flood gates for a high scoring affair. If there is someone on the team that can make that play when needed, Hudson is that guy.
The major talk around the country is the quarterback duel between Patterson and Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, how Michigan will contain OSU defensive end Chase Young, and if the Wolverines will be able to stop the Buckeyes unstoppable offense.
And in the end, the one thing everyone might be talking about is how a sixth blocked punt by Hudson won the Wolverines the game.
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