Punt return coverage by PSU

[Nitwit]

Rewatching the game (again) it seems like our defensive linemen pull off early on rushing their punter and leave us open to an easy fake punt by the kicking team. By the time the opposing team‘s punter kicks the ball, we have no one left to defend against a run or short pass in a fake punt situation and we are vulnerable. All our linemen have turned their backs and are heading the other way. I hope we don’t get burned this year but you know some coaches will attempt to exploit this.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

Rewatching the game (again) it seems like our defensive linemen pull off early on punt coverage and leave us open to an easy fake punt. By the time the opposing team‘s punter kicks the ball, we have no one left to defend against a run or short pass in a fake punt situation and we are vulnerable. All our linemen have turned their backs and are heading the other way. I hope we don’t get burned this year but you know some coaches will attempt to exploit this.

I’ve mentioned this often over the years and for the most part we’ve been better this year, but you are right, there were a couple times Sat eve where their punter could have walked for a first down.

 

[lazydave841]

I'd like to bring Hartlaub and Lytton in close and go for a block every now and then. Wilson. Dotson. Ford. Pressure the kick.

 

[sluggo72]

Rewatching the game (again) it seems like our defensive linemen pull off early on punt coverage and leave us open to an easy fake punt. By the time the opposing team‘s punter kicks the ball, we have no one left to defend against a run or short pass in a fake punt situation and we are vulnerable. All our linemen have turned their backs and are heading the other way. I hope we don’t get burned this year but you know some coaches will attempt to exploit this.

You may want to change your title. The term ‘punt coverage’ is usually reserved for the punting team as they have to go cover a punt.

 

[TheBigUglies]

You may want to change your title. The term ‘punt coverage’ is usually reserved for the punting team as they have to go cover a punt.

The term that should be used is 'punt return'. Teams usually call for the punt return unit when the opposing team is punting.

 

[sluggo72]

The term that should be used is 'punt return'. Teams usually call for the punt return unit when the opposing team is punting.

Yup I know. But then he talked about our D linemen I thought perhaps he meant punt safe ( when u leave the D on the field in case of a fake)

 

[Psugo823]

Actually when I re read this thread I thought of 3 things:
1 the level of athlete that it takes to run out a fake punt for a first down is usually beyond what the typical college punter can do. They simply aren't fast enough to outrun the 1 defender who peels back when the play unfolds.
2. Penn St actually has that athlete in Jordan Stout, who runs a 4.5, which was why I still wonder why a fake punt didn't go that way instead of the PJ plunge.
3. 5 years later it is still shocking to see that Ohio St punter outrun the angle on Grant Haley and actually catch him at the 10 yard line.

 

[Nitwit]

You may want to change your title. The term ‘punt coverage’ is usually reserved for the punting team as they have to go cover a punt.

I edited my post - thanks

 

[Ward Hog]

Ferentz will be the one to try the fake if we show a tendency to ignore the fake punt.

 

[bvillebaron]

I'd like to bring Hartlaub and Lytton in close and go for a block every now and then. Wilson. Dotson. Ford. Pressure the kick.

Not a fan of the punt block. Too often we rough the kicker and give the other team a first down.

 

[lein]

Actually when I re read this thread I thought of 3 things:
1 the level of athlete that it takes to run out a fake punt for a first down is usually beyond what the typical college punter can do. They simply aren't fast enough to outrun the 1 defender who peels back when the play unfolds.
2. Penn St actually has that athlete in Jordan Stout, who runs a 4.5, which was why I still wonder why a fake punt didn't go that way instead of the PJ plunge.
3. 5 years later it is still shocking to see that Ohio St punter outrun the angle on Grant Haley and actually catch him at the 10 yard line.

Wasn’t that Ohio St. punter also a Rugby player?

 

[Madsol]

I'd like to bring Hartlaub and Lytton in close and go for a block every now and then. Wilson. Dotson. Ford. Pressure the kick.

I know you wrote this several weeks ago, but I was really hoping we'd be more aggressive with a punt block yesterday vs. Iowa. The writing was on the wall that we were going to struggle to move the ball with Roberson. We needed a turnover on defense or a big special teams play. We can't seem to get Dotson set up for a return. So I was hoping we'd bring pressure on the punt.

 

[lazydave841]

I know you wrote this several weeks ago, but I was really hoping we'd be more aggressive with a punt block yesterday vs. Iowa. The writing was on the wall that we were going to struggle to move the ball with Roberson. We needed a turnover on defense or a big special teams play. We can't seem to get Dotson set up for a return. So I was hoping we'd bring pressure on the punt.

You have to maximize your opportunity. The way we handle punts is ultra conservative. Most here think someone could walk for a first down the way we turn.

The issue we face is punters get an extra 1-2 seconds to kick. They get air and the coverage runs down before the ball arrives.