Fort Collins – Thanks to a bye week, the Colorado State football team’s “come block a punt” protection package no longer looks like the most embarrassing special-teams play in the country.
Pittsburgh earned that distinction Saturday when the Panthers, trailing by one point, attempted a winning field goal at Nebraska. The snap hit the holder in the helmet, an instant classic on any bloopers reel. And a subsequent field-goal attempt was blocked.
Meanwhile, the Rams (0-2) spent four practices shoring up deficiencies.
Until CSU finds a way to protect punter Jimmie Kaylor, every opponent will try to burst up the middle. When Kaylor was tackled in the red zone during a punt in the opener at Colorado, the Rams were lucky to give up only a field goal. That wasn’t the case Sept. 10 at Minnesota, which returned a blocked punt 13 yards for a touchdown.
In two games CSU has yielded 87 points, seven a direct result of special-teams breakdowns. Two other Minnesota touchdowns were set up by special-teams mistakes. Also, two field goals by Colorado – including the game-winner – were assisted by special- teams errors.
It’s even more frustrating for CSU coach Sonny Lubick, considering the Rams used to win games with their special teams.
“If we don’t give up the punt blocked and don’t rough the kicker (to set up a Minnesota touchdown), maybe we come out of there down 17-10 in the third quarter,” Lubick said. “I think we’re spending enough time on special teams; if not, we can always devote another five to 10 minutes in practice.”
Special-teams film reviews at CSU were more of an event than a meeting on Mondays when Brian Schneider, now at UCLA, was the coordinator through the 2002 season. The special-teams player of the week put his feet up in “The Man Chair,” a dilapidated recliner Schneider rescued from the trash heap. Schneider tossed snacks around the room to reward other cast members.
The energy in the film room transferred to the field. When CSU shared the 1999 Mountain West crown and won the outright title in 2000, special teams were a big part of that.
In the 2001 New Orleans Bowl season, Rhett Nelson blocked a field goal against Utah and Jason Gallimore scored on a blocked punt against Air Force.
By Dexter Wynn’s senior season in 2003 as a two-time all- MWC return specialist, every opponent tried to kick away from him. He is now returning punts in the NFL. This year CSU is 51st nationally in punt returns, and kick returns by Robert Herbert and George Hill have provided some of the few special-teams highlights.
In the Schneider era, special teams were the de facto farm club for the varsity.
Former walk-ons John Howell, Jason and Justin Gallimore, Jeff Flora and more recently wide receiver Dustin Osborn earned scholarships through special-teams play.
During the Rams’ better special-teams years, personnel blended starters and younger players before they broke onto the two-deep chart. Lubick is trying to find the right blend.
“We have to get a few more guys working in special teams,” Lubick said. “What kind of hurt us against Minnesota is a guy like (starting safety) Miles Kochevar is good on special teams, and we try to get him on every one of them. We have some guys who were just spent, and we have to get more people. We have another five who should be contributing.”
But after getting outscored 87-52 in the first two games, CSU needs help from more than just its special teams. Its rushing defense ranks 108th nationally, in large part from playing rushing leader Minnesota.
“I think we’re going to be OK on defense,” Lubick said in regards to the Rams’ strong first-half effort against Minnesota.
CSU’s running game, which received the most offseason attention, is only 105th nationally at 77 yards rushing a game. The passing game has been the lone strength with the deep receiving corps.
Running backs coach Mick Delaney will go with sophomore Kyle Bell, his third starter in as many games, when the Rams take on Nevada (1-1) on Saturday in Fort Collins.
“I definitely feel we will be able to run the ball,” Delaney said. “We ran decently against Colorado. It wasn’t the greatest. You’d like it to be a little better, but there were some situations we weren’t that far off.”
The Wolf Pack beat visiting UNLV 22-14 for the first time in six years, but missed an extra point, a field goal and had a field goal blocked.
The Rams will renew emphasis on the two-back backfield, which disappeared at Minnesota after showing some progress in the opener against CU.
Offensive coordinator Dan Hammerschmidt shouldered the blame for poorly scripting the first 12 plays at Minnesota. The Rams found themselves out of the game by the third quarter and there was no sense in trying to run the ball.
Staff writer Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-820-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
