Kansas football: Special teams miscues can’t continue in 2020
Kansas football had some trouble last season on special teams, and that trend can’t continue in 2020 if the Jayhawks are going to win games.
While Kansas football seemed to improve last season, the Jayhawks still can’t afford to make mistakes on special teams. There were more than a few miscues last season, and they ultimately cost Kansas their game on the road against No. 15 Texas.
Against the Longhorns, Kansas running back Pooka Williams rushed for 190 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while quarterback Carter Stanley threw for over 300 yards and four touchdowns. The problem was with the Jayhawks’ defense, which allowed 50 points, and the kicking game.
Kansas kicker Liam Jones missed one field goal, while another was blocked. Texas also blocked an extra point, which they returned for two points of their own. All in all, missed field goals and extra points resulted in a nine-point swing. Kansas would lose the game 50-48 on a last-second field goal made by Cameron Dicker.
The following week, the Jayhawks had a chance to kick their own game-winning field goal at home against Texas Tech, and the attempt was blocked. Luckily, the Red Raider that recovered the blocked field goal attempted some sort of lateral which was recovered by the Jayhawks.
Jones would drill a 32-yard field goal, giving Kansas the 37-34 victory. Jones will be back at Kansas next season for his senior year, and so will Kyle Thompson, the punter. Thompson was awarded a Big 12 honorable mention last season, and he should be one of the best punters in the conference in his senior year.
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One key change that was made in the offseason regarding special teams was the hiring of Charles Moore, who replaced former special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler. Moore is coming from Auburn where he was a graduate assistant and defensive backs coach.
Hopefully, Moore can turn the Kansas special teams unit into one of the best in the Big 12, because the bottom line is that the Jayhawks aren’t good enough to make mistakes on special teams.