Kansas University’s football team is trying to put the “special” back in special teams.
After the Jayhawks stumbled and bumbled with punting, field goals and returns last season, KU coach Terry Allen decided it was time for a change. So he turned to tight ends coach Clint Bowen to try and turn around the special teams.
“Well, we weren’t very good on them last year, were we?” Allen said following Friday night’s practice at Memorial Stadium, where the Jayhawks worked on special teams under the lights. “So we thought maybe it would be a good thing for us to change. I think a special teams coach is a want-to guy and you’ve got to get kids who want to do it.
“We got some things done today with the special teams and kids have a tendency to rally behind Clint and his excitement for the game.”
The Jayhawks spent the last 25 minutes working on covering punt and punt returns and kickoffs and kickoff returns. Normally the team spends just the final five minutes working on field goals and punting.
“I think it went well,” senior wide receiver/punt returner Harrison Hill said. “It was the first time everybody went out there under the lights at night after a long practice and we went through everything. Guys were flying around, getting to their spots.
“I think that’s going to be a big area of improvement this year for us.”
It certainly couldn’t get much worse.
In last year’s 31-17 season-opening debacle against Southern Methodist in Dallas, the Mustangs scored 17 of their 24 first-quarter points off a bobbled snap by punter Joey Pelfanio, a blocked punt and a snap that sailed over Pelfanio’s head.
In the second game, KU survived a fumbled punt attempt in a narrow 23-20 victory against Alabama-Birmingham.
“It is a third of the game and there’s a lot of field to be gained with special teams,” senior special teams guru Brandon Wier said, “more so than any individual plays on offense or defense. I’ve done them for a few years now and it’s very important. It can cost you games.”
Wier is to KU’s special teams what junior point guard Kirk Hinrich is to the men’s basketball team. Wier is on the punt, punt return, kickoff and kickoff return teams as well as being the holder.
“I’ve kinda found a little bit of a niche there on special teams,” said Wier, who’s also a reserve safety. “I take them very personally and try to focus on them a little bit and bring a little leadership to the special teams unit. That’s definitely where I’ve found my place and I want to make sure I have a good year on it.”
But there are non-specialists on the special teams, as well, like starting free safety Jamarei Bryant and starting strongside linebacker Algie Atkinson. It used to be starters would rather endure 110-yard sprints than play on a special team.
Not any more.
“We can’t have guys going out there and going through the motions like we have in years past,” Hill said. “That’s when you get beat. I think we have guys on the team that want to be out there and that’s the main thing.”
During his playing days, Bowen made his living on special teams. Perhaps that’s why, after being promoted to a full-time coach, he made his pitch to become KU’s first special teams coach under Allen.
“I went in and talked to him about the special teams,” Bowen said. “I thought it would be a good opportunity to learn. At the time I didn’t really know what I was getting into completely, but coach gave me an opportunity.”
The two had talked about Bowen being the special teams coach when he was promoted in the spring. He started out doing the punt team before eventually taking over all the squads.
“He’s excited about it,” Allen said of Bowen. “The players seem to rally around him. I think from a strategic standpoint he’s getting a lot of help with things, but from an emphasis standpoint, excitement standpoint he’s a great fit with the players as far as the significance and importance of special teams.”
Bowen certainly takes control during the special-teams portion of practice, barking orders and running around offering instructions to players.
“He’s real detail-oriented,” Hill said of Bowen. “He gets after it. He just knows exactly what to do. He knows how to be a successful coach. He gets in there and tells guys they better do this and if they’re not, they’re going to be off the team.
“They’ve got to be busting their butt on every play on special teams.”
Upcoming: After Friday night’s practice, Allen is giving the players this weekend off. The Jayhawks will return to the practice field Monday afternoon to begin preparing for their season opener against Southwest Missouri State, which is 6 p.m. on Sept. 1 at Memorial Stadium.
