Special Teams

I know it's a day old and that the special teams in general was horrible, but I specifically was very annoyed with Hoffman and Falslev. They got nothing on kickoff and punt returns. Falslev in particular seemed unable to run north and south. Anyone else have their desire to see Phillips in the return game skyrocket after the Utah game?

No, my desire to see phillips has always been pretty high so that didn't change. Falslev was swamped everytime he got the ball if I remember, he didn't fumble and didn't make bad decisions.



Special teams was awesome, especially the special teams defense, Smithson got next to nothing all game.



It was just that last play where special teams really let BYU down.

I don't get why we're piling on special teams, etc. We outplayed this team from beginning to end, we had some REALLY unlucky breaks and one blocked kick. As the saying goes, sometimes better lucky than good.

Our returners seemed way too patient too. Looked like they were waiting for a hole to open before accelerating. Poor return game.



I'm not sure there was anything Peterson could have done. He's running towards the sideline and couldn't know the punt was completely shanked.

kitic77 wrote:
Our returners seemed way too patient too. Looked like they were waiting for a hole to open before accelerating. Poor return game.



I'm not sure there was anything Peterson could have done. He's running towards the sideline and couldn't know the punt was completely shanked.

Yeah, that what should have been a bad break for utah turned into a bad bounce for BYU, and really that shanked punt won the game in the end. If that goes out of bounds instead of hitting a BYU player, I doubt utah scores again.

declocoug wrote:
No, my desire to see phillips has always been pretty high so that didn't change. Falslev was swamped everytime he got the ball if I remember, he didn't fumble and didn't make bad decisions.



Special teams was awesome, especially the special teams defense, Smithson got next to nothing all game.



It was just that last play where special teams really let BYU down.

JUST the last play? What about the fumble on the punt that most likely cost us the game? :bug:

It was the last play that lost us the game in the end, becuase if we make that one play we win. Other plays contributed to the loss, no doubt, however. But despite all of the bounces going the Utes way, we still had a chance to win and our "special" teams let us down.



I don't think we should refer to our special teams as "special." They're not and haven't been for a long time. We have teams. We don't have special teams.

kitic77 wrote:
It was the last play that lost us the game in the end, becuase if we make that one play we win. Other plays contributed to the loss, no doubt, however. But despite all of the bounces going the Utes way, we still had a chance to win and our "special" teams let us down.



I don't think we should refer to our special teams as "special." They're not and haven't been for a long time. We have teams. We don't have special teams.

Some schools--like Virginia Tech and Air Force--are known to have special teams that make a positive different on their games. Recently, if BYU's special teams make a difference, it's not likely for the better (with the exception of the punter and punt coverage, who have been pretty solid). In years where BYU doesn't have a James Dye or Vai Sikahema returning punts, they should switch to more aggressive punt block schemes.

Poppycock. Spevcial teams won the Utah game for us last year, the UW game for us this year, and helped in the SDSU win. It is not an outstanding facet to the team, but is solid. Seriously, take away the block at the end of the Utah game, and I'd have given the unit a solid B+ for the year.

Our kicking game is average. Our coverage teams are pretty good - solid. Our return game is poor.

declocoug wrote:
No, my desire to see phillips has always been pretty high so that didn't change. Falslev was swamped everytime he got the ball if I remember, he didn't fumble and didn't make bad decisions.



Special teams was awesome, especially the special teams defense, Smithson got next to nothing all game.



It was just that last play where special teams really let BYU down.

there was one mistake where falslev should have caught teh ball instead of run away from it. cost about 10 yards or so if i remember. bj peterson's lack of awareness really killed us. it would not have mattered had the referrees not screwed up so bad but that cost us dearly.

Overall, Special Teams played well throughout the year. This game was subpar. Worst is that Bronco's the ST coach. I'm sure it burns him to hear that Wittingham spotted a weakness in his FG protection and successfully exploited it. That's a scheme error and is fully on the coaches. Even more than having Muelman and Mahina on that right side of the line in a 2 v. 3 situation. Go back and watch it: Those two didn't stop anyone. Meulman looked especially burned, just let two guys slip past either side of him.



BJ Peterson wasn't listening when his team called "POISON" on that shank. All punt return teams have a poison call. That's how the UTE defender knew to turn around and look for it. So sure, the touch wasn't entirely preventable, but it was VERY preventable.



By and large, BYU had great starting position--enough to go down and get some field goals. Meanwhile the Utes had poor starting position. That's all due to good special teams play...on both sides.



But bottom line, as much as the bad referee calls hurt us, our offensive and ST calls lost it for us. It's hard to expect a zebra to make the right call if you can't even rely on your OC to do that.