Hey there Husker fans. We're just over a week away from the start of Fall Camp, and although there are absolutely no signs of autumn here in Arizona, in my heart and my mind it's time for football. In the remaining days before the fall practices get rolling, I figured I'd break down the 2008 Cornhuskers one position at a time.
Since this is the first of the series, it seemed only fitting that we "kick things off" with the kickers and punters.
Kickers and Punters
Position Overview: The Huskers' kicking game appears in good hands, err...feet with the top two place kickers Alex Henery and Adi Kunalic (both sophomores) senior punter Dan Titchener all returning. In 2007, Henery didn't miss a kick, splitting the uprights on all 45 extra point attempts and going 8 for 8 on field goal attempts. With his accuracy, Henery will most likely remain the go-to guy on field goals from 45 yards and in, while Kunalic's big leg will handle the longer attempts. While Kunalic is certainly capable of handling the full-time kicking duties, make no mistake he was brought in to put kickoffs in or near the end zone. In 66 attempts last year, Kunalic held opposing teams to a touchback 28 times -- roughly 42 percent of the time. Though it wasn't reflected in last year's defensive stats, forcing an opposing team to start at or inside their own 20 yard line is a considerable competitive advantage for a defense.
One could make an argument that Titchener was the defensive MVP for last year's Husker team. Though the 2007 D was rarely able to keep opposing offenses off the scoreboard, it clearly wasn't Titchener's fault. This will be Titchener's third year as the starting punter and in that time he's only had one kick blocked while showing a proficiency for killing kicks deep in opposing territory. Last year, he averaged just over 41 yards per punt. In the unlikely event of an injury, Henery, a former high school soccer star, would likely step in as Titchener's understudy.
Reason for optimism: All three main guys return along with long snapper T.J. O'Leary and holder Jake Wesch.
Reason for concern: For all their efficiency last season, the place kickers were never put in a win-or-lose pressure kick situation. Will they step up when/if a clutch boot is needed?
New blood: No real newbies here, although we will see some new faces returning punts and kicks. Youngsters like Prince Amukamara, Marcus Mendoza and Niles Paul will fight it out to see who nabs the return jobs in the fall.
What to expect in '08: For whatever reason, Bill Callahan wasn't a big fan of kicking field goals. Granted, every coach would rather put up six points instead of three. Still, Callahan was abnormally averse to sending the kicking unit out in typical field goal situations (that's why Henery only went 8 for 8). While it would be against Bo Pelini's aggressive nature to be conservative with the kicking game, I would guess the Huskers will utilize the kicking crew more often in 2008.
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4 comments:
Looking forward to getting re-acquainted with this team through your blog.
Was Kunalic called on for any long kicks in 2007-08? Did he hit them?
-w
Thanks for checking in. Kunalic hit his only field goal attempt last year -- a 46-yarder in the opener against Nevada. He also hit his only PAT attempt.
Glad you're using my blog to get reaquainted with the team. It should be an exciting year.
I’m sitting here @ work, easiest job I ever had, and looking at NU’s 2008 conference schedule. I know I’ve given my prediction earlier but I’ve slept since so I can’t remember what I said. Here are some more thoughts and predictions.
Let’s say NU starts out 3-0, likely, but not a gimmie. First game of the season,Western Michigan, could be a loss, NU has to click on offense in the first home game to build momentum, WMU coaches have seen last year’s KSU tape and hope Ganz throws the ball up the middle deep on them. WMU’s coaches are better.
In the final 2008 non-conference game the eastern state Tech special teams shine and NU loses a close but competitive game, Va Tech 28-24
After the non-conference NU stands at 3-1. Missouri comes to Lincoln loaded on offense, Chase Daniels picks his nose and eats it in front of NU cheerleaders, 2 sickened girls vomit and grainy video gets over 4 million hits on YouTube by following Sunday. Football highlights don’t make it out of the state. Closer game than first thought: Missouri 34-24.
NU 3-2 goes to flat Lubbock where you can throw a Frisbee from the top the stadium and easterly winds carry to nearest foothills…. the Rockies, 300 miles away. Close first quarter and half then Tech rolls to 30 pt win. Tech coach Leach learns from coach Gundy and verbally berates Tech defensive coordinator for allowing NU so many points. Quoted as saying, “ I’m a man, I’m 40”, don’t ever allow over 20!!!” TTech 54-24.
NU 3-3 goes to Iowa State and NU plane runs into mechanical problems and after a three hr wait on the tarmac Huskers take bus back to Lincoln. NU gets a much needed road win in a thriller: NU 27-26.
NU 4-3 beats Baylor in third blow out win (other two: NU 42 SJ St 10, NU 56 NM St 21 ) of the season: After the game Texas billionaire flips a coin to see which Baylor dept gets 100 million gift; med school or football program…. Doctors win again: NU 45-17.
NU 5-3 goes to OU and despite some rib eating overzealous fans from the north in the stands rooting for NU they lose one that is not as close as the score. Fun weekend is remembered and talked about well into retirement: OU 38-17.
NU 5-4 looks at the KU game with revenge for 2007 Husker’s lackluster defensive effort. Pelini asks ex-druggie Jason Peter to give an inspirational pre-game speech to the team, Peter thinks the speech is to be given at the radio station and makes a U turn on “O” street. Three hours later, Lincoln police respond to a disturbing-the-peace 911 call at the Zoo. It won’t matter, no more fire in Huskers eyes, I saw this first hand in the OK State game last year. Weak senior class shows little leadership: NU scores late to make it respectable: KU 31- 17.
NU 5-5 desperate for a win to get bowl eligible and prove that hiring Pelini was a good move, loses on the road by a late touchdown pass from QB that spurned NU, QB gets a “free man” parade and street named after him: KSU 24-NU 21
NU 5-6 same as 2007, CU/NU winner goes to the Insight.com bowl in some southwest U.S. desert suburb. The happy Hawk –kins team up to make sure CU goes to the desert again. Nebraska Grandmas are happy because NU players and coaches are home for the holidays: CU 27-24.
NU 5-7 hears Callahan and Cosgrove chuckling from their not-going-to-the-playoffs pro teams and the not-going-bowling NU coaches start the uphill battle to sign better recruits. Texas QB recruit Cody Green commits then decommits in the span of a month. Coaches settle on and sign (he’s only a legit Division II QB) Westside QB Kellogg to anchor the 2009 offensive recruiting class. Kellogg never plays a down on offense and ends up an Honorable mention punter for the Huskers. On the defensive recruiting side NU signs 2 eventual All-Americans and 3 other All-Conference players in a three year span and wins the 2013 Big 12 championship playing great defense.
NU plays SEC champ Georgia in 2014 BCS title game and wins on a late punt return 17-13. BTW the 2012 LSU squad suffers through first losing season in 15 years and fires (should-have-gone-to-Michigan) head coach Miles.
Tulsacap
Tulsacap,
Thanks for reading the blog. You may be right. I have to think, just by the virtue of bringing on a defensive-minded coach (and being Cosgrove-free) gets this team a few more wins. But then I definitely didn't think we wouldn't be going to a bowl last year, so what do I know?
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