I know this was Brian Polian’s first season, but his special teams unit vastly underperformed compared to all the other units. Actually, I felt they were worse than the last three seasons. I hardly saw any touch backs and most of the time it seemed to take the guys forever to get down field and make a tackle. And the return game netted zero touchdowns. In 2015 and 2016 there were at least two or more. I will say that Brindza and Yoon were solid, but that’s about it. What does everyone else think?

i thought NDs punt coverage was much better than the last few years. NDs kickoff coverage needs to improve, they maybe better off just trying to boom the ball threw the endzone rather than doing the corner kick. not sure why but this was the first year that cj sanders didn't take one back to the house, still not sure why he's not returning punts.

i thought NDs punt coverage was much better than the last few years. NDs kickoff coverage needs to improve, they maybe better off just trying to boom the ball threw the endzone rather than doing the corner kick. not sure why but this was the first year that cj sanders didn't take one back to the house, still not sure why he's not returning punts.

 

I do agree, punt return coverage was better. I forgot to mention that. Kickoff coverage is not good, so yes, that needs to improve a lot. CJ didin’t seem the same this year as he did before. I wonder if it had to do with him not getting any playing time besides on kick returns?

Polian was hired for his name...and for recruiting. Special teams were not good when he was here with Weis either.

Bottom Line....special teams needs to improve

Special teams was better then last season imo, but as others have said polian was brought in primarily for his recruiting abilities

Edited December 14, 20177 yr by goirish83

i thought NDs punt coverage was much better than the last few years. NDs kickoff coverage needs to improve, they maybe better off just trying to boom the ball threw the endzone rather than doing the corner kick. not sure why but this was the first year that cj sanders didn't take one back to the house, still not sure why he's not returning punts.

 

I'm pretty sure he did take one to the house but it was called back by holding. Sorry. can't remember what game it was.

Special teams remains to be an oxymoron at ND football.

Special teams remains to be an oxymoron at ND football.

 

Haha! That it does. And I do agree with everyone about Polian coming here mainly for recruiting.

I coached special teams one year in college. Hated it.

 

It is very difficult during a game to keep track of who is injured, nicked up, not paying attention etc....in real time. Got screamed at more times in one year as the ST coach than in all my football years playing or coaching Football combined.

 

Also getting position players to concentrate on ST work -during practice is a bitch. Very few starters place as much importance on their special team play as their position play.

 

Takes a special coach to be a great special teams coach. I was a special coach...just not the right kind of special

Edited December 14, 20177 yr by Uteck

Play your starters on special teams. Build depth and be prepared.