When you get to the FCS postseason, special teams can be the deciding factor in whether or not you advance. Any head coach will say that during an interview, and they’re not just blowing smoke.
In years past, we here at HERO Sports have made this comparison. Weber State jumps off the page as a program that routinely did well when we put this together, even before it became a perennial power with former head coach Jay Hill at the helm (a former Utah special teams guru). And what happened? Weber State went from a 2-9 afterthought year after year to an FCS team that could go a few rounds and scare the bluebloods – and special teams was always a focus.
So we decided to break down the teams participating in round one this weekend. Which among these have the best special teams units when you stack all 16 of them against each other? Not surprisingly, several of these teams have performed well – thus helping them get into the FCS playoffs.
Going into this weekend’s games, these five teams have the top special teams units according to our criteria.
THE TOP 5
1. NEW HAMPSHIRE
SPECIAL TEAMS COACHES: Randall Jette and Nick Della Jacono
BEST PERFORMING UNITS: Field goal kicking, kick return coverage team
THE BREAKDOWN: Even with Dylan Laube in the NFL ranks, the Wildcats maintained a high level of play from the special teams unit. Placekicker Nick Mazzie is a true gem, but so is the kickoff return coverage team. There are several good FCS teams playing this week when it comes to special teams, but UNH is going to be in good shape when it comes to field goal kicking and more. The games can get close when you get past Thanksgiving, so that’s a big plus for UNH.
2. MONTANA
SPECIAL TEAMS COACH: Bobby Hauck
BEST PERFORMING UNITS: Punt return, kick return, punt return coverage
THE BREAKDOWN: When you have Junior Bergen on your team, are you really that shocked when your return teams rank up there with the best in the nation? Of course not. And remember, he really made a name for himself last year in the postseason – so don’t be surprised if that happens again. Obviously, teams kicked away from him this year – and he’s still crushing it. Oh, and PS: When you have your head coach checking in on the special teams unit as much as Bobby Hauck does? No wonder the grouping is good.
3. NORTHERN ARIZONA
SPECIAL TEAMS COACH: Josh Robinson
BEST PERFORMING UNITS: Net punting, kick return coverage
THE BREAKDOWN: Prior to his time with NAU, Robinson coached at Oregon and Toledo. Ben D’Aquila has proven to be a stud punter for the Lumberjacks (46.5 per punt). Kicker Marcus Lye has proven to be a weapon in the kicking game, hitting a 52-yarder and also being effective in the kick return game.
4. SEMO
SPECIAL TEAMS COACH: Connor Benado
BEST PERFORMING UNITS: Field goal kicker, kick return team
THE BREAKDOWN: DC Pippin has hit an eye-popping 26 field goals this year, and he’s hit 53 in his career coming into this weekend’s game.
5. RICHMOND
SPECIAL TEAMS COACH: Drew Anthony
BEST PERFORMING UNITS: Punt net ranking, kick return coverage
THE BREAKDOWN: Imagine Coach Anthony’s smile knowing he has a punter like 46+ yard average launching Aaron Trusler, two solid field goal kickers in Brandon Peskin and Sean O’Haire. The Spiders are having one of their best seasons in years, and now you know one reason for that.
THE NEXT TIER
6. ABILENE CHRISTIAN
BEST UNIT: Kick return unit
7. EASTERN KENTUCKY
BEST UNIT: Punt return unit
8. TARLETON STATE
BEST UNIT: Kick return coverage unit
9. DRAKE
BEST UNIT: Field goals made
10. CCSU
BEST UNIT: Field goals made
