Of all the things that went wrong in a 35-3 blowout loss to Purdue Saturday, Missouri’s struggles on special teams stood out the most.
Special teams is an enigmatic entity of football that can change the game on a dime. For Missouri (1-2, 0-1 Southeastern Conference), it’s been a major factor in the team’s lackluster start.
After struggling mightily last season, sophomore placekicker Tucker McCann has marginally improved. He’s 4 of 5 on field goal attempts this season, up from an inconsistent 6-12 stat line a season ago.
The most significant special teams issue has been the punt-returning game. After emerging as a formidable punt-returning threat last season, this year sophomore Johnathon Johnson looks timid.
He was benched after muffing a punt — albeit under adverse circumstances and a questionable no-call — in the team’s second contest of the season against South Carolina.
Sophomore Richaud Floyd was named his replacement. He muffed a punt against Purdue and looked just as timid fielding the ball.
The numbers back it up — Missouri is scared to field the ball. Of 17 possible punt returns, Missouri has fielded only three. In those three returns, the team has recorded a net return total of two measly yards.
Passively allowing the kicking team to down the ball on 12 separate occasions is not a recipe for success. The two muffed punts have also had an undeniable effect on the team’s momentum, shifting the proverbial pendulum toward the kicking team.
Even amongst all the negativity, there’s a positive that shines bright for Missouri’s special teams: The punter is good. Really good.
After Missouri’s nine failed third down conversions in Saturday’s game, junior Corey Fatony was one of the few consistencies. He recorded nine punts for an average of 48 yards in the loss.
“I wouldn’t trade [Fatony] for anyone in the nation,” head coach Barry Odom said during his first teleconference of the season on Aug. 29.
Missouri fans and coaches aren’t the only ones taking notice of Fatony’s play. He was named to the preseason Ray Guy Award watch list, which is given to the nation’s most outstanding punter.
“You obviously never want the offense to be stopped,” Fatony said postgame. “But when they are, I’m ready to go. That’s my mindset each and every week.”
He is currently second in the SEC in average yards per punt, racking up 50 yards per kick.
There’s still nine weeks to figure out the special teams woes. Nonetheless, Fatony can’t carry the entire unit, and if the inconsistencies on special teams aren’t addressed, it’s clear that the impact of poor special teams performance could become a big part in whether or not Missouri will compete in SEC play.
_Edited by Joe Noser | Jnoser@themaneater.com_