OSU Punting

In 2006-2007 with Kyle Loomis as our punter OSU was #40 out of 119.  When he left at the beginning of the 2007-2008 season Alex Serna took over.  I loved Alex Serna as our place kicker but as a punter OSU was dead last at punting last year at 34.53 yards per punt.  #119 out of 119.  Riley picked up Kyle Harper last year as a punter but he was red shirted.  I couldn't find much information on Kyle Harper except that he has played at quarterback.  Does anyone know what his average range is per punt?  I also read that we picked up another quarterback, Johnny Hekker, to be a punter.  I'm not real impressed with his average punts of 36.7 yards.  Last year that would have been #113 in the nation out of 119.  As a 6'5" 200lb punter with quarterback experience, I see the potential for some trick plays.  What are other beavers fans opinions about our punting situation?  Do you think Mike Riley will take advantage of having a first team All-King Co. conference quarterback as a punter? 

Go BEAVS!

Well,

Punting is one of the least depth positions in football. It can be a disaster to the special teams if one man is gone. I really think that Mike Riley should of at least recruited at least 1 more punter, for some extra protection in the punting roster.

I would say to put Johnny Hekker in. If he isn't starting at quarterback, make him do something at least. If you have an all star NFL roster with 3 strong safeties, but only two not as free safety players, let one strong safety compete in the free safety position! At least give the kids another chance at competing at another position (especially punter, which you rarely get hurt). I like the trick play selection, sounds like a good idea!

Go Beavs and Rams

Punting is one of the most least important jobs, but it is somewhat effective. If we had an excellent punter last year, do you think we would of won a couple of games? This is a question that coach Riley asks himself every season. But it didn't matter too much, and that is why we are such a good program, because we have positions who fill in other positions, such as the defense.

For our next punter, Hekker needs to improve, but Harper should beat out Hekker, especially if he has more experience with the team

No, we would not have won more games.  Let's break it down.

Cincinnati - What lost us the game in Cincinnati was the 6 Fumbles and the 6 Interceptions opposed to Cincinnati's 1 fumble and no interceptions. 

Arizona State - What lost us the game at Arizona State  is the 3 fumbles and the 5 interceptions versus Arizona State's 1 fumble and 1 interception. 

UCLA - What lost us the game in UCLA is the 5 fumbles and the 1 interception opposed to their 2 fumbles and 2 interceptions.  The punting in that game did contribute to the loss but was not the cause of our loss.  Serna had 8 punts for an average of 25.3 yards.

USC - What lost us the game at USC is probably not have Benard for the game and no effective offense.  While we did have 3 fumbles and 1 interception to their 1 fumble and 0 interceptions.  Actually Serna had one of his better punting games by averaging 39.3 yards per game but he made 9 punts that game.  Kyle Loomis's average punting game would have only netted us an addition 2 yards.

From the game break down the conclusions is TAKE CARE OF THE BALL!  You fumble and throw interceptions you will lose the game. 

Just an informational note:  OSU recovered almost every opposing teams fumbles in those games while we gave up probably about 1/3 of our fumbles. 

Go Beavs!