Tag: punt

WATCH: Wisconsin HC Paul Chryst discusses the late-game punt situation

WATCH: Wisconsin HC Paul Chryst discusses the late-game punt situation

Wisconsin had a steep hill to climb late in today’s 23-13 loss to Minnesota, as the team trailed by 10 with only four minutes left and two scores needed.

It was an unlikely comeback with how the offense had performed all game, yet it was in the realm of possibility. The first drive of the comeback effort saw Wisconsin face a 4th-and-1 at its own 21 yard-line.

Instead of immediately going for it, the Badgers sent the punt unit out on the field. The result: a false start (as the team was attempting to punt), a timeout by Wisconsin and a 4th-and-6 situation.

The Badgers picked up the first down. But the team was left with only one timeout in a late-game situation where time was of the essence. The gaffe probably did not matter in the grand scheme of things, though it was one that drew a lot of criticism as the time was ticking on Wisconsin’s chances.

Paul Chryst spoke about the situation after the game, saying “Never should’ve even been thinking to punt. I didn’t handle it well, flat out.”

Here is the head coach’s explanation:

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Troy Aikman’s perfect ‘Doink’ sound effect for this 70-yard punt made it so much better

Just do this for every punt, Troy.

Listen, man. It’s Thanksgiving. Y’all know how these things go. It’s time to sit around the living room with your family and watch the Lions play, uh, football? I guess? Is that what they do these days?

Look, the Lions aren’t good. And neither are the Bears. So there’s not too much to look forward to for this Thursday afternoon game.

But Troy Aikman is doing his absolute best in the booth to make things a bit more interesting. He added the perfect sound effect for this booming 70-yard punt from the Lions.

The ball floated in the air and bounced off a player’s helmet. Initially, it was unclear which player it hit. But on the replay, it’s clear it hits the Lions’ Bobby Price on the helmet.

There’s not much interesting about the play. But Aikman’s “doink” on the punt makes it SO much better. I mean, it’s perfect.

DOINK. That’s the best. Just give every punt sound effects from now on. It’ll be so much better.

It’d probably do some wonders for this game, too.

Georgia dominating Arkansas: Blocks the punt, Zamir White recovers in end zone for TD

This is pure domination in the first quarter of No. 2 Georgia vs No. 8 Arkansas. 

This is pure domination in the first quarter of No. 2 Georgia vs No. 8 Arkansas.

Georgia leads 21-0 early. It’s most recent score? A blocked punt in the Arkansas end zone.

Who recovered it? That would be UGA running back Zamir White, who now has his second touchdown of the day.

It’s been nothing but good for UGA so far.

Arkansas has had two offensive drives, and both ended with it punting to UGA from its own end zone.

Georgia is on FIRE.

Watch here some highlights:

 

Chiefs ST coordinator Dave Toub discusses state of special teams unit

After the first win of the new season, #Chiefs’ special teams coordinator Dave Toub discusses where his unit is headed in 2021. | from @TheJohnDillon

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Though it won’t count for much at the end of the season, the Kansas City Chiefs’ win against the 49ers in the first game of their preseason schedule seems to have set the tone for the team moving forward. After returning 21 of 22 starters last year, Kansas City has a plethora of new talent all over the roster after loading up in the offseason following their loss in the Super Bowl.

Motivated as ever to secure another championship, this Chiefs squad seems to have a different mentality than in previous seasons. With expectations of winning on the biggest stage as they did in 2020, there is an aura of confidence and swagger about Kansas City headed into this year’s schedule.

The edge that Patrick Mahomes gives the team is obvious, but it’s their all-around well-balanced and carefully constructed roster, top to bottom, that makes them a Super Bowl threat. On special teams especially, the Chiefs have a well-oiled machine where up-and-coming players can make a name for themselves before contributing on offense or defense.

Special teams coordinator Dave Toub is perennially regarded as a potential head coach candidate for teams seeking a rebuild. That’s because Toub has made the Chiefs’ punt and kick squads a huge asset to the team, and given Kansas City a consistent edge against less well-rounded opponents.

In a press conference after practice on Tuesday, Toub shared his thoughts on the Chiefs’ special teams unit after the team’s preseason win against the 49ers. Speaking first of his second-year punter Tommy Townsend, Toub told reporters he was impressed with what he saw on Saturday.

“You can’t watch that game without noticing Tommy Townsend,” Toub said.  “He was outstanding for us. You saw him have those kind of days in practice where he bombs the ball, but we’ve just never seen him transfer it to a game like he did. It was really good to see. He had seven punts and he was really bombing the ball and placing it where we needed it especially the one that went out on the one-yard line. That was amazing.”

While Townsend’s job is secure, other players, especially those on the fringe of the Chiefs’ depth chart, are hoping to impress Toub in a secondary role on special teams to make the final 53-man roster. His input could make or break the dreams of any number of players on the team, and Toub made it clear that cutting down the roster during the preseason process is no easy feat.

“You know, it’s hard,” Toub explained about roster cuts. “Sometimes you lose guys that you want to keep, but you go in, you make your arguments for guys and they have to be solid offensive or defensive players first obviously. Then it’s our job to turn those guys down the line into really good special teams players and that’s the way it works. We don’t keep a lot of players just because they play special teams. That’s not what’s really happening here. They got to play offense and defense first and then we turn them into better players.”

With such a sterling track record of player development, Toub has already made an obvious impact on the current Chiefs roster. Guys like Marcus Kemp, Dorian O’Daniel, and Ben Niemann have all been involved in the special teams game in previous years, and look like locks to make the team again this season.

One surprising addition to Toub’s crew in Saturday’s game was cornerback Mike Hughes, a former first-round pick by way of Minnesota that Kansas City traded for this offseason to shore up the secondary. In his new role as a kick returner, Hughes seems to have impressed Toub, who made a point to comment on his performance to the media.

“He did a nice job,” Toub told reporters. “We put him in there as punt returner and kick returner. The kick return he really hit it, did a nice job. I told our guys to come out no matter where the ball was kicked, that’s why he came out eight deep. Everybody got under a block, they did a good job blocking. We were one block away from scoring on that play, but he really hit it. It was encouraging to see him do that and we knew he had return ability and it was good to see it in a game.”

The Chiefs’ trip to Arizona this weekend will give Toub another opportunity to assess the talent at his disposal. With rugged competition all over Kansas City’s roster, his experimentation with different players in new situations on punts, kicks, and returns could culminate in a few personnel decisions that might surprise some fans. There is a premium on versatility for this team that has become something of an identity. If Toub can get even a little extra out of anyone on the Chiefs’ roster, it could give them the edge they need to win another title.

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Watch: Miles Killebrew blocks punt against Colts

Detroit Lions special teams stud Miles Killebrew blocks a punt against Indianapolis Colts.

The last time the Detroit Lions blocked a punt was December of 2007 when tight end Casey Fitzsimmons got one against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Nearly 13 years later, safety/linebacker — and special teams stud — Miles Killebrew ended the Lions streak by blocking a punt against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8 of the 2020 season.

Killebrew is lined up one player in from the left edge (Jamie Collins), with Jahlani Tavai to his right. Tavai takes on the blocker in between them, and the Colts’ personal protector is supposed to pick up Killebrew.

But, before the personal protector can get to Killebrew, Tavai blocks his man into him, taking him out of the play and freeing up Killebrew for the attack. Killebrew doesn’t miss his shot, gets the block, and Collins recovers the ball.

Check out the full play here:

Watch: Taysom Hill blocks a Falcons punt, catches a touchdown pass

New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill made two big plays against the Atlanta Falcons, blocking a punt and catching a touchdown pass.

The New Orleans Saints started their Thanksgiving night game with the Atlanta Falcons in the most entertaining way imaginable. Defensive end Marcus Davenport sacked Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan on the first play of the game, and the Saints snuffed out Atlanta’s efforts at trying to dig out of that hole.

Forced to punt, the Falcons failed to block reserve Saints quarterback Taysom Hill, who crashed through the line and blocked the punt to give New Orleans the ball inside Atlanta territory. It was a huge breakdown for the Falcons and possibly the worst start they could have hoped for. Check out Hill big play for yourself:

However, Hill wasn’t finished yet. He caught two passes on the Saints’ first drive to first convert a fresh set of downs and then score the game’s opening touchdown, grabbing a shovel pass from Brees and following his blocker into the Falcons’ end zone. All told, Hill almost gave the Saints’ an early 7-0 lead over Atlanta on his own. It’s going to be tough for Hill’s detractors to talk down his impact in this one:

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Watch: Saints special teams unit recovers Panthers’ muffed punt

New Orleans Saints special teams ace J.T. Gray teamed up with Justin Hardee for a big play on special teams, this time against the Panthers.

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The New Orleans Saints have hurt themselves with some ugly penalties and poor execution, but they caught a big break early against the Carolina Panthers. A Thomas Morstead punt deflected off of Panthers wide receiver D.J. Moore, and the Saints recovered the live ball to keep their offense alive.

It was a huge opportunity, and they didn’t waste it. Drew Brees struck wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith for a touchdown catch a few plays later. It was all kicked off when Saints special teams ace Justin Hardee blocked his Panthers counterpart, Rashaan Gaulden, into Moore. Saints safety J.T. Gray was in the right spot at the right time to recover the loose ball.

Gray has made a few game-changing plays for the Saints on special teams this year, including a blocked punt that turned into a safety against the Chicago Bears back in Week 7. If the Saints are going to go the distance and win another Super Bowl, they’ll need more plays from unexpected sources — like Gray throwing a block to create this turnover.

Check it out in the video embedded below, or at this link:

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