Special Forces

**price26** · 09-04-2009, 11:16 AM

I think these guys deserve their own thread for discussion.

Punting: Brandtner averaged 49.2 yards per punt, I don't think he had a single additional yard that resulted from the ball rolling either. That was 49.2 on average through the air. Good enough to lead the nation last year.

Kicking: Mahoney missed one from 57 to end the 2nd half, but I think the third one he kicked that was good from 50 would have made it from closer to 60.

Return game: Lenz didn't drop a single punt, while he didn't wow us with any huge returns, after every punt, I found myself saying "I'm glad he didn't drop it."

Sims, along with being a force on defense, had the huge kick return for 60 yards and almost took it back.

I'd say the special teams had a very good night and maybe, for once, after years of having to worry about them, they may just end up being one of the best, if not the best, part of this team.

**bos** · 09-04-2009, 11:17 AM

Return game: Lenz didn't drop a single punt, while he didn't wow us with any huge returns, after every punt, I found myself saying "I'm glad he didn't drop it."

This. The lofted the damn ball too much to him. I felt he never got to run with it.

**Flag Guy** · 09-04-2009, 11:18 AM

That missed 57 yarder was pretty freak'n accurate, just didn't quite have the leg on it. It was a nice attempt

**bos** · 09-04-2009, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Flag Guy

That missed 57 yarder was pretty freak'n accurate, just didn't quite have the leg on it. It was a nice attempt

Exactly. He is going to be scary good.

**cgwarrior33** · 09-04-2009, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by Flag Guy

That missed 57 yarder was pretty freak'n accurate, just didn't quite have the leg on it. It was a nice attempt

The scary part of it is if you watched his reaction, I think he felt like he didn't catch it clean on the kick. When you watch how clean he struck the one from 50 then look at the one from 5, I might agree with him....I think we may have a weapon on special teams/kicking game...

**Bader** · 09-04-2009, 11:25 AM

Mahoney did a fantastic job on FGs and PATs, but he never got a kickoff beyond the 10 yard line. We're gonna need that extra 5+ yards, wonder if Guyer has the extra leg?

**Cybyassociation** · 09-04-2009, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by Bader

Mahoney did a fantastic job on FGs and PATs, but he never got a kickoff beyond the 10 yard line. We're gonna need that extra 5+ yards, wonder if Guyer has the extra leg?

I talked to Mahoney after the game. He said his main problem last night was getting under the ball too much. Not sure if you watched the 50 yard fg, but it landed in the first row of the band bleachers. So he for sure had the leg for the 57, just got under it too much.

As for kickoffs, you could tell every time that he was getting under it too much. His shortest one, which was about to the 20 yard line, had a hangtime of like 5 seconds, so there wasnt even a return. After that, he said Rhoads talked to him. His next kickoff went inside the 5. Its the first game. He'll do fine.

**Cyclones01** · 09-04-2009, 12:09 PM

Somewhat off topic but the guys I was standing behind the entire game we're obsessed with Josh Lenz. Every time he was on the field they yelled "TRUE FRESHMAN!!!" and gave each other high fives, like they were trying to impress everyone around them because they knew him. It was hilarious. It got so ridiculous after about 3 quarters that my roommate and I started doing it too, just to **** with them.

**bawbie** · 09-04-2009, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by Cybyassociation

I talked to Mahoney after the game. He said his main problem last night was getting under the ball too much. Not sure if you watched the 50 yard fg, but it landed in the first row of the band bleachers. So he for sure had the leg for the 57, just got under it too much.

As for kickoffs, you could tell every time that he was getting under it too much. His shortest one, which was about to the 20 yard line, had a hangtime of like 5 seconds, so there wasnt even a return. After that, he said Rhoads talked to him. His next kickoff went inside the 5. Its the first game. He'll do fine.

This.

I'll attest to the last kickoff, it was caught right in front of me at about the 3. If you look at their returns, or starting field position, our kickoff weren't a problem, like has been said above, the short ones were high and they didn't get much of a return at all.

I LOVED Lenz's returns. He didn't break one, but he didn't fair catch all of them either, he tried to return them when there was even the smallest seam. He's going to be good. I love the fearlessness.