Michigan Football: Special Teams Units Are "Locked In"
Michigan special teams and linebackers coach Chris Partridge has to enjoy what he’s working with this season.
The linebacker group has been an integral part of the Michigan defense, but it’s the special teams that have been better than many expected.
It all starts with redshirt freshman kicker Quinn Nordin, who leads the nation with 11 made field goals, tied with Utah’s Matt Gay.
Partridge said that during practice, he’s seen Nordin hit from 66 and 67 yards out, and that with the right conditions, thinks he could make a 70-yard field goal.
“It’s a huge asset,” Partridge said. “Because it opens up the decisions for the head coach on whether they have to go for it or do a short pooch punt, whether we can take an attempt at three.”
Wind and weather conditions obviously factor into where Nordin feels comfortable kicking from during a game, but for now, Partridge said around 55 yards seems to be the comfort zone.
Safe to say that sleepover has worked out so far.
Another freshman that’s been making an impact is wide receiver and punt returner Donovan Peoples-Jones.
He was Michigan’s offensive player of the game against Air Force thanks to his 79-yard punt return for a touchdown. It was his first touchdown as a Wolverine.
“Donovan is going to be an unreal football player for this team this year and moving on,” Partridge said.
After being replaced against Cincinnati by junior Grant Perry for failing to secure and call for fair catches, Partridge said the freshman has bounced back well.
“I think that catching a punt, outside, in an open environment like that is the hardest thing to do,” Partridge said. “The wind takes it, the ball takes it, for a freshman to have to do that, the game reps are invaluable. We can do everything we want in practice, but when all the pressure is there and people are coming down, everyone’s releasing everybody, those reps are invaluable and he continues to lock it in and get better at it.”
Other than it being the first time Peoples-Jones faced a rugby style punter, Partridge thinks that one of the areas he is getting better at is taking charge of the play, since he’s the only player on the team to see the ball in the air on punts.
Partridge said it’s all part of the growing pains and they worked on it in practice and feel like he’s picked it up quickly. The mistakes have made him better, and he has the trust of both Partridge and Jim Harbaugh.
“If it was easy, everyone would be doing it,” Partridge said.
When it comes to kick returns, sophomore receiver Kekoa Crawford is still the lead guy, but the competition is open as long as he’s not taking kicks back for touchdowns, Partridge said.
One area that Michigan is hoping to improve on is kick return blocking.
“Kick returns a very difficult thing to do, block guys that are running full speed,” Partridge said. “I think we feel pretty confident about it, I know you haven’t seen the product, but we’ve got guys that are gaining valuable experience. It takes a while to get the knack for it, and I think we’ve got the guys in place now that we’ll be able to open some stuff up. I feel confident that you’ll see some explosive plays out of that phase coming up here soon.”
He said they are working through some things and feels big plays are coming soon, even if they don’t come against Purdue. He isn’t ready to redo the whole kick return and start over.
He also said he likes the culture the team has developed with special teams, as players understand the importance the phase of the game has.
“We’re locked in,” Partridge said. “I love the guys we have. I love the meetings, from the starters, the fifth-year seniors to the freshman, we’ve got this thing where people are locked in and want to contribute and be on units.”
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