2009 Individual and Team Statistical Leaders for NCAA Football
Here are the CU results for Special Teams:
Individual
Matt DiLallo: 86th out of 98 qualifying FBS punters with Punting Average of 38.64 yards
Jason Espinoza: 64th out of 64 qualifying FBS returners with a Punt Return Average of 3.09 yards
Brian Lockridge: 73rd out of 100 qualifying FBS returners with a Kickoff Return Average of 23.30 yards
Aric Goodman: 91st out of 100 qualifying FBS kickers with a .83 FG/Game; 100th out of 100 with a made FG% of 0.556
Team
Punt Return Yardage Defense: 87th out of 120 FBS programs with a 10.89 average
Net Punting: 113th out of 120 FBS programs with a 31.85 average
Punt Returns: 117th out of 120 FBS programs with a 3.33 average
Kickoff Return Yardage Defense: 27th out of 120 FBS programs with a 20.16 average
Kickoff Returns: 21st out of 120 FBS programs with a 23.87 average
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Basically, we're pretty good at kicking off and returning kickoffs. Totally happy to have Goodman and Lockridge in those roles for 2010.
Our punting, punt returning and field goal kicking absolutely suck.
Grossnickle is slated to replace DiLallo, so that should help.
We need to find a punt returner. It's not Espinoza and McKnight didn't look good either. Hildreth? One of the incoming freshmen?
We need to find a field goal kicker. Also Grossnickle? Kirkwood maybe? Castor as a true freshman?
Also coverage teams should benefit from 2010 being a deeper, more experienced team. That needs to be a major area of emphasis this spring and fall, though.
Anyway, great job as always by Montana.