Kool-Aid McKinstry Explains Thought Process on Punt Returns

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Nick Saban was visibly frustrated on the sidelines during the third quarter of Alabama's game against Tennessee. The offense had scored a quick touchdown out of halftime, and the Crimson Tide defense had just forced a three-and-out.

After the stop, Alabama was in a spot to get the ball in good field position and potentially take the lead. Kool-Aid McKinstry was back to return the punt for the Crimson Tide. He signaled for a fair catch, but let the ball hit the ground. It rolled about 15 yards for the Alabama offense to start at 24 instead of the 40.

There have been similar instances this season with McKinstry at punt return. After putting up 332 returns yards last year, he has just 58 yards on 11 returns through the first eight games. On Tuesday, McKinstry explained his decision-making process on punt returns and what he's been working on in that area.

"I’ve faced a lot of challenging kicks this year, whether it’s been rugby or a guy holding the ball longer than usual," McKinstry said. "The ball has just been kind of different. On punt return, you’ve got to make sure at the end of the play that you at least have the ball. And make sure that we don't have any unnecessary turnovers.

“So I will say I've been working harder on just making sure I’m catching all the difficult balls, balls that are even harder to catch or can be risky catches. But I’m just doing that to make sure we’re saving the most field position as possible.”

Last week during the bye, Saban said he still has full confidence in the all-American as a punt returner and doesn't think punt return is an issue.

"We talked about everything, and I’m pretty sure he always had confidence in me being back there," McKinstry said Tuesday. "It’s something I already knew. Him just saying it to the world, it means something.”

McKinstry might not get many opportunities to return punts this weekend against LSU. The Tigers only have had to punt 15 times this season compared to 40 for the Crimson Tide. It will be up to McKinstry and the rest of the Alabama defense to force the potent LSU offense into stops.

No. 8 Alabama takes on No. 13 LSU this Saturday at 6:45 p.m. on CBS.