Ed Foley Addresses Highs and Lows of Husker Special Teams
It was a game-changer when Nebraska blocked a Purdue field goal attempt Saturday and returned it for a touchdown. Husker special teams coordinator Ed Foley is still waiting to see something remotely as productive from Nebraska’s punt-return unit.
The Huskers have returned eight of their opponents’ 44 punts for a total of 20 yards this season. No return has gone for more than eight yards. In the Big Ten, only Indiana has less yardage per return.
“We need work on that unit across the board,” Foley said after Tuesday’s Nebraska football practice. “I like some of the things we’re doing on special teams. I don’t like what we’re doing on punt returning.”
Substandard blocking has been an issue at times, he said, and now Nebraska is dealing with the unavailability of return man Billy Kemp due to injury. Foley said tricky wind conditions contributed to Alex Bullock’s dropped punt Saturday. Freshman Ethan Nation has yet to return a punt but is showing promise in that role, Foley said.
As for Elijah Jeudy’s blocked kick against Purdue, Foley said the play was called “Crash” and was executed as designed. Quinton Newsome’s role on the play was to “scoop and score,” and that’s what he did — with an over-the-shoulder catch instead of a scoop.
Also speaking Tuesday was defensive coordinator Tony White, who said he likes how his players have responded when placed in tough situations, such as defending a short field after a Husker turnover.
“It doesn’t matter where. It doesn’t matter how,” White said. “When it’s our turn to go play ball, we go play ball.”
White said Michigan State, the Huskers' opponent this Saturday, is not a team to be taken lightly despite its 2-6 record.
“They led at Iowa going into the fourth quarter,” White noted. “They were kicking Rutgers’ butt going into the fourth quarter.”
Several players also spoke ahead of this weekend's trip to East Lansing. Refresh this page to see the latest additions to the coverage. Asterisk indicates item may require a subscription. | HuskerMax discussion
Coverage
- Husker247 | Special teams coordinator Ed Foley quick hits, news and notes
- Husker247 | Husker DC Tony White: 'It comes down to us living up to our standard'
- Transcripts | Johnson, Butler, Bullock, Wright, Fidone, Buschini, Hartzog
- Lincoln Journal Star* | After becoming Nebraska's starting running back, 'nothing changes' for Emmett Johnson
- Lincoln Journal Star* | Javin Wright ‘grateful and blessed’ to overcome injuries
- Omaha World-Herald* | A little luck, a lot of execution: Nebraska sees special teams trending upward
- Omaha World-Herald* | Husker notes: Tony White’s standard, Princewill Umanmielen’s big play and more
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From the other side
- Detroit Free Press | Senior Day has special meaning this year
- MLive.com | Michigan State’s Harlon Barnett adamantly against spoiler mindset
