ICSTR, Go for it on 4th edition

If you read this blog, you know that I started in 2009 using my own system for evaluating special teams play for Bowling Green.   You can read the full introduction and see the scoring system here, should such a thing interest you.  The basic idea is that you get positive points for good plays outside the middle area of the bell curve on the right and negative points on the left.  The system doesn't care if you get to the 26 or 28 on a kickoff or if you make a short FG...make a long FG or miss an easy one, now we're talking.

Basically, BG continued its good, but not great special teams play.  Obviously, punting remains a strength, as we can see here...all but one of BG's positive plays was on a punt.  BG struggled mostly on the pooch kick and the kick after the Zimmerman penalty, as well as one Davidson punt and giving up the 2xp.  BG +4 for the game.

UT was only +2.  They punted well, too, had a big punt return, and got points for those two kickoff returns and the 2XP.  On the negative side, they missed an XP, put a kick OB, and gave up that fake punt.  They were +2 for the game.

One hidden part of special teams is what BG's FG kicking is doing to the team.  Obviously, we try almost no field goals.  BG has gone for it on 4th 30 times, which is the highest in the country.  The next highest is 20.  BG has tried 6 FGs.  In the MAC, only Akron has tried fewer.

Here is how it broke out.

BG Positive (+8)

Punt inside 20 (+1)
Punt inside 20 (+1)
82 yard punt (+2)
Kickoff touchback (+1)
Successful fake punt (+3)

BG Negative (-4)

26 yard net punt (-1)
UT KOR to 44 (-1)
UT KOR to 40 (-1)
2 XP against (-1)

UT Positive (+8)

Kickoff touchback (+1)
Net punt 49 (+1)
Punt inside 20 (+1)
Punt inside 20 (+1)

26 yard PR (+1)

KOR to 44 (+1)

2xp (+1)

KOR to 40 (+1)

UT Negative (-6)

KO OB (-1)
Missed xp (-1)
34 yard net punt (-1)
Allow fake punt (-3)