Article published September 29, 2009
University of Toledo coach bothered by punting
Beckman pondering special teams changes
| TOLEDO AT BALL STATE |
• When: Saturday, noon
• Records: UT is 2-2; Ball State is 0-4
• Series: Ball State leads 17-16-1
• Favorite: UT by 7
• TV: 13
• Radio: 1370 |
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By ZACH SILKA
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
As the head coach at the University of Toledo, Tim Beckman has the Rockets off to a solid 2-2 start heading into Mid-American Conference play, which begins Saturday at Ball State.
As the special teams coach at UT, Beckman still has some work to do.
"It seems like I talk about it every week, but the special teams are not even close to where they need to be," Beckman said yesterday. "There will be changes this week, definitely needed changes."
Beckman didn't elaborate on who exactly is on the hot seat this week in practice, but he implied that one of the Rockets who will be battling to save his job is punter Bill Claus, a sophomore walk-on and St. John's Jesuit grad.
"We need to find somebody that can place the punts where we need to place the punts," Beckman said.
When asked who the candidates are to take over the punting duties, Beckman grew a bit more exasperated."[Ryan] Casano or [Aaron] Opelt or whoever it's going to be. [We need] somebody who's going to be punting where we need to punt the ball. We practice it all week long. We tell him where we want the ball punted. We get it done during practice, and then when we get in the game, he can't do it."
Claus punted just once for 38 yards in a 41-31 win at Florida International on Saturday.
With less than two minutes remaining in the first quarter, Claus' punt was returned 25 yards by FIU junior Ty Frierson to the UT 47. The Golden Panthers were called for an illegal block in the back on the play, however, moving the ball back to the FIU 25.
Claus didn't attempt any more punts the remainder of the game.
Instead, Beckman chose to utilize Casano and Opelt. Casano punted once for 47 yards in the second quarter, which ended with a 31-yard return by FIU sophomore T.Y. Hilton to the UT 31.
Opelt saw the most action, finishing with three punts for an average of 32 yards per kick, including one touchback.
"I punted in the past and a little bit in high school," Opelt said. "If I can help the special teams out, I guess that's what we'll have to do."
The Rockets also had a punt attempt blocked on their own 18-yard line to start the second half that resulted in FIU running back Darrian Mallary's 4-yard touchdown run that made it 17-10 with 12 minutes left in the third quarter.
"Eight of the touchdowns that have been scored against our defense [this season] are because the opponent's offense has had the ball inside the 50 because of special teams [mistakes]," Beckman said. "It must be addressed, and we have to get it corrected immediately."
Beckman also wasn't happy with the Rockets' kickoff coverage unit, which gave up several long returns against FIU.
"Alex [Steigerwald] did a great job at the end," Beckman said. "He doesn't kick it quite as deep as we would like him to, but at least he places it where we need to place it."
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Steigerwald was honored yesterday as the MAC West division player of the week for converting both of his field goal attempts against FIU.
He booted a 36-yarder in the second quarter to give the Rockets a 17-0 lead and a 24-yarder in the fourth quarter to give them a 41-24 advantage.
INJURY UPDATE: Sophomore tight end Danny Noble is doubtful to play against Ball State after injuring his ankle in the first half against FIU, Beckman said.
He added that sophomore safety and Rogers grad Isaiah Ballard should return this weekend after sitting out the FIU contest with a broken hand.
Contact Zach Silka
at: zsilka@theblade.com.
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