Special Teams by the Numbers (Charts!!)

[chipdouglas]

Using CFBStats, I took a look at how WSU points and ST (kicks, punts specifically) are progressing under CML. Numbers through last night (Stanford).

I'll skip the setup and get right to it:

• Defense has been shaky in PPG allowed, but is trending upward in its ability to stop opponents
• Offense is a brighter story, showing consistent progress every year in PPG
• PPG trends are similar in and out of conference
• Offensive KR yards are pretty stable, while defensive KR yards are showing improvement
• Offensive PR yards are also stable, but things appear to be getting worse on PR defense
• WSU KR & PR TDs per game have been dismal, with ZERO across 4 seasons
• We are having a harder and harder time stopping opponent KR & PR TDs

 

[Cougatron]

Definitely special teams (returns) is our achilles heel. Hopefully we can get that fixed. I definitely liked the keepaway kicking strategy we had last night, although letting the other team start on the 40...well that is less than desirable.

 

[95coug]

Looking at the record books, our last punt return TD was by Michael Bumpus in 2005. Our last kick return TD was by Sammy Moore in 2003. Kind of illustrates just how long our special teams have been bad.