Thursday, October 4, 2007

Rise of the return

Jayhawks, Wildcats rely on talented special-teams units

By Tom Keegan

With 6:08 left in the first quarter, Raimond Pendleton returned a Central Michigan punt 77 yards for a touchdown. The celebration got him an earful, but it also got him a standing "O."

Photo by Nick Krug

With 6:08 left in the first quarter, Raimond Pendleton returned a Central Michigan punt 77 yards for a touchdown. The celebration got him an earful, but it also got him a standing "O."

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Reader poll

Now that K-State has knocked off Texas, do you think a KU win in Manhattan would put the Jayhawks in the Top 25 polls?

  • Yes...in one poll 21% 640 votes
  • Yes...in both polls 61% 1796 votes
  • No 16% 492 votes

2928 total votes.

photo

Peter Aiken/Getty Images

Punt returner Deon Murphy rushes down the sideline for an 80-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter of K-State's victory over Missouri State on Sept. 15 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan.

KU hoping to put the pressure on Freeman

Last season when KU faced KSU in Lawrence, 'Cat QB Freeman was welcomed to the 'Sunflower Rivalry' by throwing 3 interceptions and losing 3 fumbles. This season, however, the Jayhawks know they will face a much-improved offense.

Audio clips

2007 KU Football press conference Oct. 2

Audio clips

2007 K-State football press conference Oct. 1

KU Football

Kansas State has two game-changing playmakers returning punts, so converting on third down becomes twice as important for Kansas University's football team Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

Jordy Nelson, the Big 12's second-leading receiver who also has thrown two passes, both for touchdowns, has the longest punt return in the Big 12 this season. It went for 89 yards and a touchdown against Texas.

Nelson, a 6-foot-3, 217-pound senior who came to K-State from nearby Riley County High as a walk-on, isn't even considered the best punt-return man on the field for the 24th-ranked Wildcats.

Deon Murphy, a 5-10, 170-pound junior receiver out of Coffeyville Community College, leads the Big 12 and is 10th in the nation with a 19.1 punt-return average. Nelson, with only three returns, doesn't have enough to qualify.

Murphy has the conference's second-longest punt return (80 yards for a TD against Missouri State).

The Wildcats rank first in the nation with an average of 27.2 yards on 14 returns, five yards more per return than Utah State, which ranks second in the nation. To appreciate the enormity of that number, consider that Kansas led the Big 12 with an average of 13.5 yards per return last season.

The two players largely responsible for the figure sprint at opposite ends of the personality spectrum. Nelson is married and on the quiet side, not too colorful. Murphy is single, lively and enjoys talking.

Both men have terrific speed. Who would win a foot race?

"I think there is no question about that," Murphy said. "I'd win that foot race."

Murphy has been clocked in 4.36 in the 40-yard dash, so nobody disputes that.

The Wildcats started the season with just Murphy returning punts.

"Most teams wanted to shank it and punt it out of bounds," said Murphy, explaining the change. "Now we have two back there and they have to punt it to one of us. I feel real confident about the things we're doing back there."

Murphy said he has been returning punts since "Little League."

"Having two of us back there it feels like a kickoff return, knowing you have somebody directly in front of you that's going to keep somebody off of you," Murphy said. "I love it regardless. Whether it's one of us or two of us, I love it."

Playing two men deep is not without its drawbacks. For one thing, it leaves eight men blocking seven defenders in the box, which makes the punt return team vulnerable to a fake. For another, it all but eliminates any chance for a blocked punt.

Kansas special teams coordinator Louie Matsakis addressed how Kansas State excels with a strategy most teams don't dare try.

"K-State does a very good job of it because they're very safe and they cover all the eligible receivers," Matsakis said. "They do a really good job of deterring people from attempting a fake."

Kansas, with Marcus Herford doing the job, leads the nation in kickoff returns with a 32.8 average.

"I think the return game will be very exciting," Matsakis said. "They have an exceptional return team and I think our guys have done a really good job of what we've asked them to do as well."

Kansas has scored a touchdown on a blocked punt, a punt return and a kickoff return.

It's no accident that both schools have excelled in special teams.

"We've tired to personnel it with very good players who are either starters or high contributors on offense or defense," K-State coach Ron Prince said. "That's sometimes a challenge. ... We try to play our very best players. The more depth we find on offense and defense, the better our special teams will be. When the ball's kicked in the air, we'd like to have an advantage, but I don't know that that's the case this week."

KU coach Mark Mangino, as his former K-State boss Snyder did, loads his special teams units with players from the first and second strings and has done so since the day he became a head coach.

"Those are competitive spots, just like offense and defense," Mangino said. "When we first got here we had to sell our best players on being on special teams. When kids saw Nick Reid and Kevin Kane and Banks Floodman out there they realized it was an important part of the team and they wanted to be a part of it."

The key to any job in any walk of life is to make it seem as if it's more a reward than a chore.

"It's a source of pride," Mangino said. "If somebody takes your job from you on special teams, it's a source of embarrassment."

Does a demotion sting the same way it does for an offensive or defensive player?

"A guy with pride, yes it's very embarrassing, even if you're a No. 1 on the field," Mangino said. "You never want to be told you're not good enough. For a guy who's a competitive guy, that's an insult."

Murphy and Nelson from K-State and Raimond Pendleton (two fumbles) from KU have returned punts for touchdowns. Herford returned a kick all the way.

"Special teams is going to be a big part of the game," KU cornerback/receiver Aqib Talib said. "You look at upsets that happen it's something happened on special teams is what caused it. They will play a big part on Saturday."

Talib has been asked to do a lot for his team this season. He has not been asked to return punts ... yet.

Comments

sevenyearhawk (anonymous) says...

It's going to be one helluva game folks, here's a little more national perspective:

http://www.sportsline.com/collegefoot...

October 4, 2007 at 6 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

kylecisnum1 (anonymous) says...

should be good! kyle tucker is gonna have a huge impact on how many return yards the cats get saturday. kick it high and kick it deep!

October 4, 2007 at 8:31 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jhwkfan162515 (anonymous) says...

Hey, seven-year-hawk, in that link you posted, did you see that KU is listed as the favorite? According to CBS Sportsline, we are given a 53.5% chance of winning to K$U's 46.5% chance. It is going to be close, but I think Kansas can pull the upset of Kan$a$ $tate.

October 4, 2007 at 8:50 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

sevenyearhawk (anonymous) says...

1625 that is exactly why I felt the need to post that, from breaking down the stats, KU was the favorite, Vegas has us at what, a 3 point underdog, which is about even for being on the road, and 2 out of 5 "experts" picked KU ...

should be fun!!

October 4, 2007 at 9:13 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

This game is basically a coin flip. Both teams have talent. K-State has the home field. The game will be decided by one or two big plays.

October 4, 2007 at 10:51 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

seattlehawk_78 (anonymous) says...

Kick it in the end zone whenever you can. A good special team unit may be able to stop them most of the time but eventually one of these guys is going to burn you.

October 4, 2007 at 10:58 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

bmcmich1 (anonymous) says...

Scottie Webb has been fantastic at doing just that thus far, even with the new rule pushing him back five yds. this yr. He will most likely be pretty juiced up for this game, and keep shooting that ball deep in the end zone for touchbacks.

October 4, 2007 at 11:06 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

The best way to avoid giving up big punt returns is to score on every possession. Is that asking too much? :)

October 4, 2007 at 12:12 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

killabees (anonymous) says...

1625,

To paraphrase LL Cool J: Don't call it an upset. Keep in mind that Vegas lines are used to even out bets, not to predict who will win.

October 4, 2007 at 1:13 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

okjhok (anonymous) says...

I think it was "...don't call it a comeback..." but I digress. I actually think Vegas is pretty good with their lines. It's really pretty incredible how close they come with their lines and over-unders. Those guys definitely do their homework...and then some.

October 4, 2007 at 1:18 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

bmcmich1 (anonymous) says...

"I'm gonna knock you out, mamma said knock you out."

-Aqib Talib to Jordy Nelson (original artist: LL Cool J)

October 4, 2007 at 1:24 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

killabees (anonymous) says...

Okjhok,

Twas in deed "comeback" that's why I paraphrased.

My point however, is that I don't think a KU victory against KSU is an upset.

October 4, 2007 at 2:10 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

okjhok (anonymous) says...

Agreed

October 4, 2007 at 2:17 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

bmcmich1 (anonymous) says...

We don't think the game will be an upset, but the rest of the nation will. However, I really don't care what the rest of the nation thinks as long as we get that W!

October 4, 2007 at 2:42 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

As most polls and oddsmakers have said all across the country, this game is either a push or K-State (as home team) by 3. CBS has KU at 53.5% vs. 46.5% for the Cats. It's not an upset at all. I think everyone across the country sees it as a toss up, with the potential that the winner could be seen as a real threat to win the wide open Big XII north and maybe have a shot at a BCS bowl if the South winner comes in vulnerable.

I'm looking forward to that game in KC being the Big XII game of the week with the north division title on the line and the rest of the country watching. That could bring KU football the type of attention that it needs. Go Hawks!

October 4, 2007 at 3:09 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

sevenyearhawk (anonymous) says...

amen justanotherfan!

October 4, 2007 at 3:33 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

CasperCorps (anonymous) says...

Is it Sat. yet?... And yes vegas does its homework and then some.. "thats right... dollar signs.."

October 4, 2007 at 10:30 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

whoisjohngalt (anonymous) says...

What the hell is Kansas University?

October 4, 2007 at 10:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

scootja32 (anonymous) says...

Penalties KSU 44

KU 17

Penalty Yds Lost KSU 422

KU 166

October 4, 2007 at 11:28 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

100 (anonymous) says...

Regarding future and current KU football success: First the Hawks need to show up and play a lights-out game against K-state. Second, we, as fans, need to look at the next few games, specifically the "home" one in Kansas City. Even though Lawrence in the short run is losing business the day of the MU game, we need to fill Arrowhead with blue. The more hyped it is, nationally, the more business will come to Lawrence merchants down the road. Bring your friends -- persuade the Merchant boycotters to throw their signs down and have a beer and scream their heads off at Arrowhead for the Hawks.

October 5, 2007 at 12:10 a.m. ( | suggest removal )