Wanted: New Punter

[Stallion]

SMU's opponents out punting our punter by 3.9 yards but more importantly SMU is +2.1 in Net Punting in comparison to our opponents. If we kick it to Turpin all nite he runs one back. Instead Turpin had 1 return for 6 yards. Mission accomplished
Average Per Punt 38.9 42.8
Net punt average 36.5 34.6

[gostangs]

This is not a comment focused on the TCU game. All season long our punts have appeared anemic. No hang time, several shanks. It is clearly an area of weakness. I thought last yrs punter looked better. i would be really surprised if Chad did not think this is an area that needs some focus.

[Charleston Pony]

lack of hang time is what I noticed in the 1st 2 games

[JasonB]

Punting average going into the game was over 40. Average punt of 38 not good. Net ave of 36 isn't the end of the world in college. If we only want one scholarship on the kicking game, I would probably choose the Texas guy too. Not saying that is the case, but....

Also, I don't think you guys remember that Koonce was wildly inconsistent with his kicking last year. He would hit one 50 that would be a boomer and then totally shank a 20 yard punt.

Finally, sometimes, especially if you aren't super confident in your coverage team, you choose accuracy over strength.

[ponyscott]

Sorry but this a Jr High kick level of performance. ...it will come to roost all season.

[Digetydog]

When it comes to punting, looks matter. Even if you manage to eek out a decent average, low, knuckleballs eventually lead to long returns and lead to inconsistent field position.

For example, if we close to midfield (or on their side of the field) and decide to punt, we should "know" that the "worst case" is the other team starts at the 20.
If we are forced to punt from our 20, we cannot have a 30 yard knuckleball get returned for 20 yards.

[Stallion]

except beauty doesn't count and TCU did not get any returns
rarely has more wasted time been spent on an issue which had little effect on the game Saturday nite. He kicked it about 36 yards a kick with 6 total yards in punt return yardage all nite. He purposely kicked the ball away from the returner all nite and he was successful.
Maybe this didn't come across on TV-but it was clear at the stadium

[RyanSMU98]

Last yrs punter was better and its time to bring him back.

I agree this year has not been impressive so far, but in all fairness our punter last year got a TON of game time experience. Probably why NTSU's punter looks All-World.