Boulder – Ask Colorado special-teams coach Kent Riddle about the sound a football makes coming off the toe of kicker Mason Crosby, and he’ll liken it to any manner of explosions.
Simply put, the ball jumps off Crosby’s foot.
Crosby has been known for his big-footed heroics as a place- kicker. Now the coaches are taking a chance on that translating into punting, and Crosby has not disappointed. His dual role as kicker-punter has gone swimmingly this spring, issues with long-snapping notwithstanding.
“He can crush the ball when he punts,” Riddle said. “The guy has a thunder foot, whether he’s kicking or punting. I think he’s one of those guys that adapts naturally to anything.”
As spring drills wind down, Crosby has posted the best punting numbers in camp, averaging 48.7 yards in the Buffs’ two scrimmages. Redshirt freshman Matt DiLallo, recruited specifically to take the place of senior John Torp, now finds himself in a battle to earn the job. Riddle says a starter won’t be named until summer camp.
“If everything was equal, yeah, maybe we’d have Mason just do field goals,” Riddle said. “But if he’s clearly the best, then we’ll have him do both.”
Crosby punted in high school, but has not done so in a primary role at CU. Among the top concerns with a player kicking and punting is the player’s mental makeup: If he hits a bad punt, will it affect his kicking, and vice versa?
There have been other glitches.
“The consistency is not all there yet, but I’m not totally sure that’s all him,” Riddle said. “New protection, new snapper, those things.”
Snapping has been a problem this spring for the Buffs, who have sent punters reaching, jumping and scooping for balls. For a team that intends to emphasize making plays and scoring with its special teams, these problems could be cause for concern. Riddle is not worried.
“We’ve got a bunch of guys that none of whom had practiced it until this spring,” Riddle said. “They are all progressing at a really good rate, although none of them are a finished product yet.”
CU has used multiple players in the long-snapper role this spring. Guard Bryce MacMartin was given a shot Monday and appears the most promising. Justin Drescher, signed in February to be a long-snapper, will be with the team in the preseason, and CU is also expecting two walk-ons to compete for the spot.
Footnote
Safety Dominique Brooks, who has missed the entire spring and could miss this season with a severe knee injury, will have a minor procedure on his shoulder April 18.
Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-820-5455 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
