Report Card: Grading Nebraska’s Special Teams Unit
Scott Frost had not had a full-time special teams coach since his arrival in Lincoln in 2018. However, after the unit’s performance last season, it was time to change. Bill Busch has been elevated from his previous role as a defensive analyst to special teams coordinator. There’s a lot of work to do considering the unit’s performance last season.
Field Goals
The Husker’s field goal kicking was near the bottom of the conference in 2021. They ranked 13th in extra points with 39 made and 43 missed for a .907 percentage. Field goals were no better as Nebraska was 8 of 16 with a percentage of .500. During the spring game, only kicker Chase Contreraz attempted a field goal, going 1 for 2 with a make of 26 and a miss of 42 yards. Contreraz’s performance will have little effect on his future as the starter. Most believe that transfer kicker Timmy Bleekrode will be the starting kicker from the start of the season. Kicking with Furman last year, Bleekrod was 15 of 18 on-field goals with a long of 51 yards last season.
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Punting
Transfer Punter Brian Buschini handled all eight punts on Saturday, averaging 40 yards per punt with a long of 63 yards. The Montana Grizzly attempted 69 punts in 13 games for an average of 46 yards a punt and 30 punts inside the 20 last season. Unfortunately, Nebraska’s punting was just as woeful as the kicking game. The Cornhuskers ranked 12th in the conference with a 40.4 per punt average.
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Kickoff Returns
Due to the light contact rules of this year’s Red and White Game, there were no opportunities to see the competition for the kickoff return position. Another unit that requires improvement at the kickoff return squad, which ranked 12th with an average return of 15.1 yards per kick and no touchdowns. Nebraska has not had a kickoff return for a touchdown since JD Spielman’s 77-yard return against Ohio State in 2017.
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Punt Return
Again, no punt returns due to the contact rules. This was the unit most needed improvement as the Huskers finished last in the conference with an average of 2.7 yards a return. JD Spielman was the last Cornhusker to score a touchdown in 2019 against South Alabama.
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Final Grade
I would love to give an “incomplete” grade simply due to the lack of kick and punt returns in the spring game, but that feels like a copout. Brian Buschini fits in nicely as the team’s leading candidate for starting punter. His average for the game (40 yards per punt) was right along the line with last year’s team average. Given that his average last season was 46 yards, I believe we’ll see results more in line with career averages by the time the season comes along.
Timmy Bleekrode couldn’t kick in the spring game, and given that he’s considered a difference-maker at the position, it’s hard to be upset by a 50% field goal percentage in a spring game.
FINAL GRADE: C+
