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Topic: 2nd from bottom in punt and kickoff return yardage allowed
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SBH
9/28/2025 2:43 PM
Yet no one ever asks the coach about special teams during press conferences. Instead, it's "How does it feel to win your MAC opener," etc.
Last Edited: 9/28/2025 2:50:14 PM by SBH
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TWT
9/28/2025 4:03 PM
Or the ad nauseam questions about the differences in prep/game plan for a P4/G5/FCS opponent. As if its the differences between playing a high school team, college team and a jr. high school team.
Last Edited: 9/28/2025 4:03:39 PM by TWT
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DC_United47
9/28/2025 6:40 PM
SBH wrote:expand_more
Yet no one ever asks the coach about special teams during press conferences. Instead, it's "How does it feel to win your MAC opener," etc.
Softball questions from the Athens Messenger!

All in all Faanes was a pretty good special teams coordinator for us for a long time. Lots of kickoff returns for touchdowns, never had a punt blocked that I can remember, kickers made extra points...the good old days. I'm sure Coach Smith will get the special teams back to the level it has been in a matter of time!
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Valley Cat
9/28/2025 8:02 PM
I did see a tweet about fixing the special teams the other day from one of the Ohio fan accounts but that is about as deep as it gets.
The special teams have already cost one game and if they don't fix them they could cost you a conference game.
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Bobcatbucnut
9/28/2025 8:49 PM
My original concern of a MAC Championship run was our front 7 on D. Still a concern, however Hauser is making great adjustments with his players and scheme. Special teams all around are concerning. Kickoffs, Punt and Kickoff coverage, Punting improved after first two games but took step back Saturday. Agree special teams cost a game already! Ball bounces a different way could have cost WVU. Missed field goal kept it a one possession game. The miss this week again could have been more costly. Missing extra points? Not sure why week one kicker was replaced? As games get tighter these issues need to be fixed or they will lose. Trust in coach Smith to right the ship.
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STVCastle
9/28/2025 9:57 PM
Honestly, I don't like the idea of a "Kicker by Committee" on Special Teams. Nothing against either Dellenbach or Peacock, but at some point, you gotta pick one guy and stick with him.
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Ectobatic
9/29/2025 1:43 AM
We live in an era of offended people, and any answers will be sterile and politically correct, so it doesn't matter what questions are asked, because what we hear will be a standard, boring set of words.
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Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
9/29/2025 9:56 AM
What does a "politically correct" answer to the question of "Why are we platooning kickers?" look like, exactly?
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M.D.W.S.T
9/29/2025 10:19 AM
SBH wrote:expand_more
Yet no one ever asks the coach about special teams during press conferences. Instead, it's "How does it feel to win your MAC opener," etc.

[/QUOTE]A win lets you off the hook for quite a bit.

I often get criticized for my criticism, but you are correct. I want them to be happy about the win - but address the clear issues. I'm happy as hell about the W. I love beating Eddie George. I also have some very real concerns about the run defense (what run defense) and the entire special teams unit.

We have 3 kickers, and none of them can kick. We've had a lot of portal issues, but certainly we could have found a decent HS kicker...? Is Albin some sort of K recruiting whisperer? Somehow I doubt it.

Chase is returning punts, which I never want to see again. Is Dennis regressing? He's a 5th or 6th year? He can field a KO, but not a punt? Buddy allegedly has low 4.3 speed and we have barely seen it in his entire time here.

And like you said, we're allowing monster returns. They always seem to be out of position. A lot of that falls on these line drive, short yardage kicks, but no one ever seems to be in position. Last week Dellenback made a tackle. What on earth.

[QUOTE=Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame] What does a "politically correct" answer to the question of "Why are we platooning kickers?" look like, exactly?
I don't know how you answer that either, considering the real answer is not what we - or they - want to hear. Kicking is a half a confidence game, and it's likely already shaken knowing one dude is taking kicks outside 30 yards, one is doing XP, one is doing KO.

Peacock has already missed two XP, and two 30 yard FG's. Dellenback allegedly has the leg, but he can't seem to get a kickoff beyond the 10 yard line. Kasee hasn't attempted a FG since 2023, but he's still around.

Hopefully we can figure it out, cause 3 points here and there is a huge momentum holder.
Last Edited: 9/29/2025 10:31:14 AM by M.D.W.S.T
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Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
9/29/2025 10:35 AM
M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
I don't know how you answer that either, considering the real answer is not what we - or they - want to hear. Kicking is a half a confidence game, and it's likely already shaken knowing one dude is taking kicks outside 30 yards, one is doing XP, one is doing KO.

Peacock has already missed two XP, and two 30 yard FG's. Dellenback allegedly has the leg, but he can't seem to get a kickoff beyond the 10 yard line. Kasee hasn't attempted a FG since 2023, but he's still around.

Hopefully we can figure it out, cause 3 points here and there is a huge momentum holder.
Yeah, sort of reminds me of baseball teams trying out the 'closer by committee' thing. Ultimately, half the battle seems to be about reps and confidence. Somebody needs to just win the job.
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Mike Coleman
9/29/2025 11:36 AM
Dellenbach gets the nod this week, per Smith.
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Diamond Cat
9/29/2025 11:41 AM
Doesn't Marty post here on BA? If you see this brother, ask Coach about the concerning special teams play tonight at the show. I'm sure he doesn't want to call out a coach but I do not know any fan in my circle happy with the special team units right now. Plenty of us on BA concerned. Blame us for the question.

I just do not want to think about losing a road game to EMU or WMU because special team units continuing to look like a carnival show.
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M.D.W.S.T
9/29/2025 11:54 AM
Diamond Cat wrote:expand_more
Doesn't Marty post here on BA? If you see this brother, ask Coach about the concerning special teams play tonight at the show. I'm sure he doesn't want to call out a coach but I do not know any fan in my circle happy with the special team units right now. Plenty of us on BA concerned. Blame us for the question.

I just do not want to think about losing a road game to EMU or WMU because special team units continuing to look like a carnival show.
The old men yelling at clouds over on BA, want to know...

WHY DOES SPECIAL TEAMS SUCK, WHY DOES OUR NEW KICKER HAVE AS MANY TACKLES AS FGS


LOL I can live with that framing.
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colobobcat66
9/29/2025 12:17 PM
nm
Last Edited: 9/29/2025 12:18:47 PM by colobobcat66
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Bobcatbucnut
9/29/2025 5:00 PM
Albin wasn’t the whisper it was Faanes. How many of these specialists were recruited by Faanes? Great to hear David is getting a shot, not sure why the job was taken from him after game 1? Alex K hasn’t suited up all year? Is he injured? He was Spetic backup last two years, and a Faanes recruit.
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BillyTheCat
9/30/2025 7:48 AM
M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
Yet no one ever asks the coach about special teams during press conferences. Instead, it's "How does it feel to win your MAC opener," etc.
A win lets you off the hook for quite a bit.

I often get criticized for my criticism, but you are correct. I want them to be happy about the win - but address the clear issues. I'm happy as hell about the W. I love beating Eddie George. I also have some very real concerns about the run defense (what run defense) and the entire special teams unit.

We have 3 kickers, and none of them can kick. We've had a lot of portal issues, but certainly we could have found a decent HS kicker...? Is Albin some sort of K recruiting whisperer? Somehow I doubt it.

Chase is returning punts, which I never want to see again. Is Dennis regressing? He's a 5th or 6th year? He can field a KO, but not a punt? Buddy allegedly has low 4.3 speed and we have barely seen it in his entire time here.

And like you said, we're allowing monster returns. They always seem to be out of position. A lot of that falls on these line drive, short yardage kicks, but no one ever seems to be in position. Last week Dellenback made a tackle. What on earth.

What does a "politically correct" answer to the question of "Why are we platooning kickers?" look like, exactly?
I don't know how you answer that either, considering the real answer is not what we - or they - want to hear. Kicking is a half a confidence game, and it's likely already shaken knowing one dude is taking kicks outside 30 yards, one is doing XP, one is doing KO.

Peacock has already missed two XP, and two 30 yard FG's. Dellenback allegedly has the leg, but he can't seem to get a kickoff beyond the 10 yard line. Kasee hasn't attempted a FG since 2023, but he's still around.

Hopefully we can figure it out, cause 3 points here and there is a huge momentum holder.
In regards to HS kickers,saw one last year and his coach told me $50k was the starting point he was being offered.
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M.D.W.S.T
9/30/2025 9:04 AM
BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
Yet no one ever asks the coach about special teams during press conferences. Instead, it's "How does it feel to win your MAC opener," etc.
A win lets you off the hook for quite a bit.

I often get criticized for my criticism, but you are correct. I want them to be happy about the win - but address the clear issues. I'm happy as hell about the W. I love beating Eddie George. I also have some very real concerns about the run defense (what run defense) and the entire special teams unit.

We have 3 kickers, and none of them can kick. We've had a lot of portal issues, but certainly we could have found a decent HS kicker...? Is Albin some sort of K recruiting whisperer? Somehow I doubt it.

Chase is returning punts, which I never want to see again. Is Dennis regressing? He's a 5th or 6th year? He can field a KO, but not a punt? Buddy allegedly has low 4.3 speed and we have barely seen it in his entire time here.

And like you said, we're allowing monster returns. They always seem to be out of position. A lot of that falls on these line drive, short yardage kicks, but no one ever seems to be in position. Last week Dellenback made a tackle. What on earth.

What does a "politically correct" answer to the question of "Why are we platooning kickers?" look like, exactly?
I don't know how you answer that either, considering the real answer is not what we - or they - want to hear. Kicking is a half a confidence game, and it's likely already shaken knowing one dude is taking kicks outside 30 yards, one is doing XP, one is doing KO.

Peacock has already missed two XP, and two 30 yard FG's. Dellenback allegedly has the leg, but he can't seem to get a kickoff beyond the 10 yard line. Kasee hasn't attempted a FG since 2023, but he's still around.

Hopefully we can figure it out, cause 3 points here and there is a huge momentum holder.
In regards to HS kickers,saw one last year and his coach told me $50k was the starting point he was being offered.
Is that for a Top 25 type team? I can't imagine a world where anyone in the MAC is paying $50K for a kicker. Vakos might be getting that now at Wisconsin, but maybe not considering he's currently ranked 18 of 18 in made FG's in the Big 10. (2 / 4)
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BillyTheCat
9/30/2025 10:19 PM
M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
Yet no one ever asks the coach about special teams during press conferences. Instead, it's "How does it feel to win your MAC opener," etc.
A win lets you off the hook for quite a bit.

I often get criticized for my criticism, but you are correct. I want them to be happy about the win - but address the clear issues. I'm happy as hell about the W. I love beating Eddie George. I also have some very real concerns about the run defense (what run defense) and the entire special teams unit.

We have 3 kickers, and none of them can kick. We've had a lot of portal issues, but certainly we could have found a decent HS kicker...? Is Albin some sort of K recruiting whisperer? Somehow I doubt it.

Chase is returning punts, which I never want to see again. Is Dennis regressing? He's a 5th or 6th year? He can field a KO, but not a punt? Buddy allegedly has low 4.3 speed and we have barely seen it in his entire time here.

And like you said, we're allowing monster returns. They always seem to be out of position. A lot of that falls on these line drive, short yardage kicks, but no one ever seems to be in position. Last week Dellenback made a tackle. What on earth.

What does a "politically correct" answer to the question of "Why are we platooning kickers?" look like, exactly?
I don't know how you answer that either, considering the real answer is not what we - or they - want to hear. Kicking is a half a confidence game, and it's likely already shaken knowing one dude is taking kicks outside 30 yards, one is doing XP, one is doing KO.

Peacock has already missed two XP, and two 30 yard FG's. Dellenback allegedly has the leg, but he can't seem to get a kickoff beyond the 10 yard line. Kasee hasn't attempted a FG since 2023, but he's still around.

Hopefully we can figure it out, cause 3 points here and there is a huge momentum holder.
In regards to HS kickers,saw one last year and his coach told me $50k was the starting point he was being offered.
Is that for a Top 25 type team? I can't imagine a world where anyone in the MAC is paying $50K for a kicker. Vakos might be getting that now at Wisconsin, but maybe not considering he's currently ranked 18 of 18 in made FG's in the Big 10. (2 / 4)
P4 commit, definitely not top 25 caliber team. Not long ago, we made kickers walk on before any money was on the table. Starter got the schollie.
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Valley Cat
10/1/2025 12:38 PM
A little bit of a different Special teams issue but one that concerns me. Seeing Chase back there fielding punts is scary. Is he good at it? Sure. Do I want the best WR on the team as the return guy? Absolutely not.
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Kevin Finnegan
10/1/2025 3:03 PM
BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
In regards to HS kickers,saw one last year and his coach told me $50k was the starting point he was being offered.
Not saying that wasn't what you were told, but I don't believe that's the case. Here's an article from just last week about the Alabama kicker who says that he is not getting a dime of money. If 'Bama isn't paying anything, I doubt it's a common practice for other schools to be forking out money for kickers. It actually says in the article that most kickers do not get deals.

https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/sports/columns/2025/... /
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BillyTheCat
10/2/2025 10:05 AM
Kevin Finnegan wrote:expand_more
In regards to HS kickers,saw one last year and his coach told me $50k was the starting point he was being offered.
Not saying that wasn't what you were told, but I don't believe that's the case. Here's an article from just last week about the Alabama kicker who says that he is not getting a dime of money. If 'Bama isn't paying anything, I doubt it's a common practice for other schools to be forking out money for kickers. It actually says in the article that most kickers do not get deals.

https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/sports/columns/2025/... /
If special teams is really 33% of the game, programs are fools for not investing in the positions that can change a game.
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CatsUp
10/2/2025 10:50 AM
Would sure like to get the kicker/punter from down at Wheelersburg. One can hope. : )
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BillyTheCat
10/2/2025 12:50 PM
CatsUp wrote:expand_more
Would sure like to get the kicker/punter from down at Wheelersburg. One can hope. : )
He’s got a cannon for a leg!
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Casper71
10/5/2025 9:45 PM
Said it somewhere else. We’ll say it again… Just put kickoffs in the end zone. Whichever kicker can do that 100% of the time should have that job. No need to be cute or smart on kickoffs.
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OhioCatFan
10/6/2025 10:10 AM
Casper71 wrote:expand_more
Said it somewhere else. We’ll say it again… Just put kickoffs in the end zone. Whichever kicker can do that 100% of the time should have that job. No need to be cute or smart on kickoffs.
What? You don't like sqibb kicks and area kicks? They can be so exciting!
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