The thing about special teams is, things are not always special. In fact, poor play on kickoff and punt teams usually results in a disappointing loss.
Professor J is well aware of this fact. That's why he hired an especially nutty coach to handle this important phase of a football team in one Dennis McKnight.
No doubt, most folks take kickoffs and punts for granted. A successful PAT compares to a two-foot tap-in for par. Anything 40 yards or less should be automatic on field goals.
There's no reason why you can't find a good long snapper at center or a holder on place-kicking, but Professor J is here to tell you, take nothing for granted in football.
McKnight preaches this message morning, noon and night on a football field. He praises and chastises players, rarely breaking stride as he marches to the tune of his own drummer.
For him, special teams is a state of mind. You must be fearless. You must travel down the field with reckless abandon, a little like the first wave of defense in any major battle. Braveheart comes to mind.
"You still must be disciplined," McKnight said. "You have to stay in your lanes and flow smoothly to the ball carrier."
At this point, the top return men are Jamal Garland on punts and kickoffs. Ricky Lumford and Feiamma Armstrong are also on kickoff returns. It's a speedy group looking to take one back all the way in 2000.
As for punting, that chore rests on the foot of junior college transfer Greg Kleidon. In a practice last week, Kleidon had two kicks blocked in a drill, prompting McKnight to bellow, "It's now 14-0 in favor of Portland State."
Kleidon is adjusting well to the one-step format Professor J favors. As for place-kicking, that battle is between seniors Eric Hannum and Jake Huggins. Huggins is handling kickoffs, while PATs and field goals will go to Hannum.
Professor J recently said that freshman Justin Ayat is still in the picture. But if Huggins and Hannum prove true, it's likely the Kamehameha Schools' product will receive a red shirt.
Brian Smith remains the top long snapper for the H-Men. It's a position that McKnight believes is vital the success of the program.
"Overall, our players are getting a better understanding of what we want done on special teams," McKnight said. "All things equal, it usually comes down to special teams to see who wins a game. I like our guys. They're coming on strong."
At these positions
| NO. | PLAYER | HT. | WT. | CL. |
| KICKER |
| 14 | JAKE HUGGINS* | 5-9 | 170 | SR. |
| HOMETOWN: STAYTON, ORE. |
| 15 | ERIC HANNUM | 6-3 | 189 | SR. |
| HOMETOWN: TEMECULA, CALIF. |
| PUNTER |
| 27 | GREG KLEIDON* | 6-0 | 177 | JR. |
| HOMETOWN: LOS ANGELES |
| 15 | ERIC HANNUM | 6-3 | 189 | SR. |
| HOMETOWN: TEMECULA, CALIF. |
| KICK RETURNER |
| 34 | FEIAMMA ARMSTRONG* | 5-8 | 170 | SR. |
| HOMETOWN: MERCED, CALIF. |
| 86 | JAMAL GARLAND | 5-10 | 179 | SR. |
| HOMETOWN: SAN DIEGO |
| PUNT RETURNER |
| 86 | JAMAL GARLAND* | 5-10 | 179 | SR. |
| HOMETOWN: SAN DIEGO |
| 18 | JUSTIN COLBERT | 5-6 | 155 | SO. |
| HOMETOWN: RIALTO, CALIF. |
* Denotes starter
