TOWSON, Md. - Last season, the improvement of the play of the Tigers' special teams was one of the most important aspects of the Turnaround Tigers' remarkable season.
After the Tigers held their 11th practice of the Spring on Thursday morning, Special Teams Coach Brian Fleury took a few moments to talk about the Tigers' special teams.
Two years ago, the Tigers averaged only 19.1 yards per kickoff return. Last season, they improved that average to 23.3 yards per kickoff return. They also had a kickoff return for a touchdown for the first time since 1995 when Derrick Joseph (below) ran 93 yards for a touchdown against New Hampshire.
Although, the Tigers punted only 32 times, they held the opposition to just 3.5 yards per punt return.
"With our improved overall depth, our special teams should be even better this season," explains Coach Fleury. "Our philosophy is to put our best players on special teams. With our improved depth, we have some more flexibility.
"So, if we want to give a player a rest, we can do that now," he adds.
Prior to last season, Coach Fleury made the bold prediction that the kickoff return for a touchdown drought would end. When Joseph returned the opening kickoff for a TD against New Hampshire, his prediction came true.
"I knew we had someone special in Derrick Joseph," he admitted with the trace of a smile. "He is an explosive return specialist and he has the ability to do it again over the next three years."
A 5-9 product of Waldorf, Md., Joseph averaged 27.9 yards per kickoff return last season, a mark that led the Colonial Athletic Association and ranked him ninth in NCAA FCS. A second team All-CAA selection, he also earned honorable mention All-America notice.
Place kicker D.J. Soven was another impact player for the Tigers' special teams last year. He scored 74 points as he made 53 of 56 conversion attempts. He also made seven of eight field goal attempts, including a game-winning 27-yard field goal as time expired in a 31-28 victory over Richmond.
"We had a very good combination working last year," recalls Fleury. "When I say it was a combination, I am talking about the snapper, the holder and the kicker."
In addition to Soven, the Tigers' field goal unit included long snapper Cory Kirby and Brian Potts, the holder. While Kirby returns, Potts has graduated and Fleury admits the void is tough to fill.
"The holder is a critical position on a football team," he says. "Brian Potts did a great job for us and, honestly, we are having a hard time replacing him."
While Soven returns as the Tigers' place kicker, the Tigers have two punters competing for the regular job. Sophomore R.J. Peppers, the Tigers' punter last season, is vying with "red shirt" freshman Nick Russo for the job.
Last year, the Tigers' offense was so effective that the Tigers only punted 32 times last season. The Tigers didn't even punt enough to qualify to be ranked among the NCAA leaders.
Coach Fleury joked, "Maybe we won't even need a punter this season. That would be fine with me."
The Tigers' next scheduled practice is set for Saturday morning.
