Aug. 22, 2005
Special Teams
Under first-year coordinator Everett Todd, New Mexico’s special teams play was a big key to the Lobos’ success in 2004. The performance of all the specialty units had a hand, at some point, in each one of the team’s victories, including some of the most dramatic triumphs of the year.
New Mexico faces a significant challenge this season in replacing two-time all-conference honoree Wes Zunker, who cemented his place as one of the top kickers in school history last year. Juniors Garth Archibald (Chico, Calif.) and Kenny Byrd (Albuquerque, N.M.) battled each other for the starting job throughout the spring and will continue their competition during preseason camp. A transfer from Butte College last fall, Archibald had a fine spring and finished as the top candidate for field goal and extra point duties. Byrd, meanwhile, proved to be the team’s best kick-off man and the top choice for long field goals. He stepped in for an injured Zunker during the 2002 season and worked hard over the next two years, improving his leg strength and technique dramatically. While both Archibald and Byrd possess all the physical ability needed to excel in the kicking game, head coach Rocky Long said Zunker’s intangible skills will be missed the most.
“Some of our other kickers could be really outstanding,” he said. “We’re not concerned with the leg strength or ability of the kickers, but the concern we have is how they’ll handle a stressful situation. Wes Zunker was one of those guys that no matter the situation in the game or how critical the kick was, nothing like that bothered him and you were sure he was going to kick it well.”
Fourth-year starter Tyler Gaus (San Diego, Calif.) returns to handle the punting duties after quietly turning in a fine campaign in 2004. While he has continued to improve his distance and hang-time, Gaus has become one of the best placement punters in the country, mastering the lost art of the “coffin corner” kick. The 6-2, 205-pounder was a secret weapon for the Lobo defense as he dropped a career-high 25 punts inside the 20-yard line last year, including 13 that landed on or inside the 10, with just three attempts rolling into the end zone.
“I think Tyler did as good a job as anybody in the country, putting the ball inside the 20 or 10 – he really developed that skill,” Long said. “He’s gotten a little more consistent with hang-time and distance every year that he’s been our starter and we expect more improvement this year, which will make him a high quality punter.”
Sophomore deep snapper Jon O’Brien (Tehachapi, Calif.) is also back after turning in a solid debut season last fall. O’Brien’s continued development and improved speed will make the Lobo punt unit one of the most underrated in the conference. He will also take on the snapping duties for field goals and PATs.
Marcus Smith will look add some explosiveness to the Lobo kick return team. |
As usual, the Lobos will be a threat with their punt block team. Last year, New Mexico blocked a pair of punts at Air Force, both of which were returned for touchdowns. Since the start of the 2000 season, UNM has blocked 15 punts, seven of which have been returned for scores.
The UNM return game also showed signs of becoming a real threat late in the year and could be much improved in 2005. Marcus Smith and Daniel Ramirez both showed some explosiveness on kick and punt returns last fall, and a large group of new players will compete for their chance to shine on special teams this season.