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From CU at the Game

2010 Colorado Preview - Defense/Special Teams

Kickers/Punters

Personnel: Senior Aric Goodman; senior Joe Silipo (snapper); junior walk-on Marcus Kirkwood; and red-shirt freshman Zach Grossnickle.

New in 2010: Freshman Justin Castor; freshman Ryan Iverson (snapper); freshman Dillan Freiberg

Losses from 2009: Senior Matt DiLallo was the Buffs' main punter for the past four seasons. As a freshman, DiLallo made freshman All-American teams. His numbers declined each season, however, and, in 2009, his 37.8 yards/punt averaged ranked 11th the Big 12. Perhaps even more significant was the loss of Justin Drescher, who for the past four seasons has served as both long and short snapper for the Buffs.

Strengths: ... hmm ... Let's go with experience. Senior Aric Goodman does have that going for him. Still, it is hard to ignore Goodman's 15-for-32 record on field goal attempts (the last two seasons, Colorado opponents have connected on 37-of-48 field goal attempts). In 2009, Goodman was 10-for-18, connecting on a 54-yarder in the opener against Colorado State, but then going 2-for-9 the remainder of the season from outside 40 yards. The Buffs also at least have some competition for Goodman this season, as true freshman Justin Castor has looked impressive in fall camp, and Kirkwood, checking in at 6'6", 220 pounds, might be utilized for kickoffs this fall.

Weaknesses: It doesn't seem all that long ago that Mason Crosby was a Buff, and the Colorado offense knew it was in scoring position as soon as it crossed the mid-field stripe. Now, consciously or unconsciously, the Colorado offense is under more pressure to score touchdowns, as Goodman has been erractic from all distances. For a team which was 92nd in the nation in scoring in 2009, added pressure is never welcome. Yet, Goodman, who has been good in practice but inconsistent in games, may still be the best option for the Buffs, until or unless Justin Castor is given his chance to show he can execute under game conditions.

As for red-shirt freshman Zach Grossnickle, the Buffs' new punter is a complete unknown. A highly recruited kicker out of Denver East high, his signing late in the 2009 recruiting class cycle (Grossnickle had originally committed to Kansas) was greeted with high hopes. Grossnickle missed only one field goal attempt his senior year in high school - and that was from 58 yards out. Still, Grossnickle has been groomed to be exclusively a punter, and Buff fans will see this fall if the experiment has worked out, as there is only freshman walk-on Dillan Freiberg on the roster as a backup.

It is also worthy of noting that the Buffs will be breaking in two new snappers this fall. Justin Drescher ably manned both roles for the past four seasons, and was not a name well known to Colorado fans because he did do his job so well. This fall, senior Joe Silipo will be taking over as short snapper on field goals, while freshman Ryan Iverson will handle the long-snapping duties. Rest assured, these players are hoping to remain just as anonymous as Drescher was for his four years.


Colorado can go 8-4 if ... Either Aric Goodman has a career year (a big "if"), or if true freshman Justin Castor proves to be the second coming of Mason Crosby. Castor did go three-for-three, including a 52-yarder, in the one fall scrimmage open to the public, so there is hope that Castor will be the kicker of the future. For the Buffs to have a winning record, however, Colorado needs to have Goodman or Castor to be the reliable kickers of the present. As for the punting chores, Zach Grossnickle does not have to be spectacular for the Buffs to be successful (though that certainly wouldn't hurt). Still, for a school renowned for producing great punters, it is ridiculous for the Buffs to be ranked 113th in the nation in net punting.


Colorado will go 4-8 if ... there is no improvement in the kicking game. For Colorado to be competitive, defense and special teams must keep the games close against the better teams on the schedule. Failing to score points when opportunities present themselves, or failing to pin the opposition deep in their own territory with a decent punt, wears down an average team over the course of the game. If Buff fans are still turning away during field goal attempts because they can't bear to watch, and are holding their breath every time the punting unit takes the field, it will be a long season.

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