BOULDER – Colorado special-teams coach Kent Riddle gave a surprising answer when asked about more practice time being devoted this week to punt and kickoff coverages. Saturday’s opponent, Kansas State, rates among the nation’s best at returning kicks.
“We’re not doing any more than usual,” Riddle said. “But that’s because we work really hard every week on special teams.”
Riddle no doubt got his squads’ attention by tossing out a few statistics. Kansas State (3-2, 1-1 Big 12) ranks first nationally in punt return average (25.5 yards) and is 34th in kickoff returns (23.8).
The Wildcats have returned three kicks for touchdowns this season, by three players: an 85-yard kickoff return by James Johnson and 89-yard punt return by Jordy Nelson in the 41-21 win at Texas; and an 80-yard punt return by Deon Murphy against Missouri State.
“They’ve done a tremendous job,” Riddle said. “They’ve got playmakers. The guys up front (blocking) know that if they give them a chance, they’ll do something big. They’re fast, powerful guys who can find a crease and get through there.
“Everybody has to give great effort against that; you’ve got to swarm to the ball. You’ve got to beat a one-on-one block at some point and get out and run and leverage to the ball.”
Like Colorado (4-2, 2-0), Kansas State places an emphasis on special-teams fundamentals.
“I’m about as stoic a person on the sideline on game day as possible, but the kicking game just excites me,” Kansas State coach Ron Prince told the Topeka Capital-Journal following the upset of Texas. “I think that’s where the game gets fun.”
The best strategy against Kansas State’s returners “is to not have to punt,” Riddle said.
Footnotes. Colorado’s return game isn’t chopped liver. The Buffs rank 28th nationally in punt returns (13.0) and 30th in kickoff returns (24.2). CU has not returned a kick for a touchdown. … Colorado freshman wideout Josh Smith said he learned a lesson after being suspended for the first half of the Baylor game for being late to a team meeting. Smith caught two passes for 103 yards in the second half. “It hurt me to be standing on the sidelines,” Smith said. … After getting 15 stops against Baylor, CU senior linebacker Jordon Dizon remained the nation’s tackles leader with 14 per game.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
