Question No. 10 for USF Bulls: Will the special teams units improve?

Posted Jul 28, 2010 by Scott Carter

Updated Jul 28, 2010 at 11:44 AM

The finish line to a long summer without football is finally within sight.

A week from today USF players report for the start of fall camp, and then they’ll open practice on Aug. 6.

For those scoring at home, that’s only 10 days away.

To serve as an official countdown here in our little corner of the blogosphere, starting today, I’ll toss out what I see as the 10 most important questions facing the Bulls leading up to the start of fall practice.

With that said, let’s get to it. You can check out the blog each morning for the latest question about the Bulls. After I give my take, I’d like to hear what your take is on the question of the day.

No. 10: Will the special teams units improve?

About the only thing special about USF’s special teams last season was how non-special they were most of the time.

Here is where USF ranked nationally among the 120 FBS teams: punting (84), punt returns (91), kickoff returns (98), punt-return defense (120th) and kickoff-return defense (35th).

The bright spot for the Bulls’ special teams units last season was the emergence of walk-on kicker Eric Schwartz, who made 11 of 16 field goals after replacing Delbert Alvarado (1 of 5), who replaced the injured Maikon Bonani.

Schwartz is back, and so is Bonani. They staged a wide-open battle during spring practice for the placekicking job and enter fall camp “neck-and-neck’’ according to USF coach Skip Holtz.

As for the not-so-bright spots, the punt-return yardage defense ranked last in the nation. USF allowed 21 yards per punt return. That is an area new special teams coordinator Vernon Hargreaves plans to address significantly in fall camp.

The kickoff defense was better, but USF’s return teams didn’t fare too well. The Bulls averaged just 6.4 yards per punt return and 19.7 per kickoff return. For comparison, Cincinnati led the Big East Conference in both categories (13 yards per punt return; 28.5 per kickoff return).

USF’s primary return men – punt returner Faron Hornes and kickoff returner Dontavia Bogan – are back, but expect Hargreaves to test others in that role to challenge Hornes and Bogan.
At the conclusion of spring practice, Holtz said punter Justin Brockhaus-Kann needed to improve to solidify his grip on the job vacated by the departure of Alvarado.

Chamberlain High product Austin Pullaro and freshman Chris Veron, signed as a kicker but also a punter, are expected to challenge for the position.

While the importance of special teams’ play varies game-to-game, USF must get a more consistent effort from this group on a regular basis, especially in close games where good field position often determines the outcome.

What’s your take? Should the question about special teams deserve a higher ranking?