It’s the 50th the daily which means…well, nothing. I wondered if there would be enough material to write every day but thankfully, there’s been plenty. And for our 50th, I’m happy to give you a boatload of special teams coverage!
the daily #50 | 9/19/2023 | Archives
Scott. Special teams were responsible for all of UH’s points Saturday. Two field goals, a kick return and a PAT.
In the Tuesday media availability (assistant coach/players), Mark Scott let Joseph Duarte and me behind the curtain a little with special teams. Because UH uses so many starters on special teams (virtually every starter plays on at least one unit), his situation is different than other coaches. Scott has to understand the game plan, perhaps earlier than any other coach, and how players will be used that week. That allows him to map out who he can use in each special team unit, because a player’s availability might change depending on his expected snap counts on offense or defense. Or if a player gets dinged up during the week, he might play but wouldn’t be available for special teams. Or Scott might find out late in the week that they are available and have to adjust.
“It’s a little hectic, to be honest with you,” Scott laughs. “It’s day-by-day. Certain weeks, it’s hour-by-hour. We have personnel conversations at least once a day, sometimes two-to-three times a day.”
Scott said he’s excited to have running back Parker Jenkins as the off-returner paired with Matthew Golden as the deep man. On Golden’s 98-yard touchdown return, Jenkins came over and sealed the tunnel for Golden. In the 6-3-2 formation, the returner needs blocks from the other four middle/deep guys and they each delivered.
After that return, TCU started kicking toward Parker. The first time, TCU was offsides, and Scott urged Dana Holgorsen to force them to rekick. Parker rewarded him with a 47-yard return.
“With his body type, and how physical he can be, and obviously with his speed, what he can do with the ball in his hands, he’s the perfect guy for that off-returner spot,” Scott said.
Wilkins. Aussie punter Laine Wilkins is having a phenomenal year, 12th in the country in net punting yards (46.8 yards per punt). Wilkins’ career average, 42.6 ypp, is virtually identical to his Aussie predecessor, Dane Roy (42.7).
UH has not given up a punt return yard this season. Scott uses a spread formation, which features two less linemen and two more gunners, split out like an inside receiver. More athletes on the field create more coverage opportunities, especially with Wilkins’ hangtime.
Martin. Tuesday was my first chance to really talk to UH’s new kicker, Jack Martin. Martin went to Troy out of high school, just 55 miles from his hometown of Dothan, Alabama. He was #1 nationally in net punting in 2020 and was All-Sun Belt. From there, he went to Alabama as a placekicker and helped win an SEC title with the Crimson Tide. He graduated and decided to go somewhere he could be the man. More from Martin in the video below.
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