FSU Football: 5 areas ‘Noles need to improve in 2017
By Kelvin Hunt
Punt return
This is an area that I’ve harped on for the last longest. The punt return game as been straight up awful since Greg Reid was dismissed from the team.
He was the last true threat FSU had on special teams that could legitimately change the numbers on the scoreboard.
FSU averaged 7.41 yards per punt return in 2017 which was good for No. 77 in the nation. Here’s the kicker, 91 percent of FSU’s punt return yard came two games.
The ‘Noles had a punt return against Charleston Southern for 89 yards that went for a touchdown. They also had 59 yards total against South Florida.
FSU had 16 punt return yards in ACC play in 2016. That is beyond awful.
On the flipside, FSU allowed nearly 19 yards per punt return on special teams. They allowed Louisville to return two punts for 130 yards, and allowed Miami to return three punts for 58 yards.
The special teams faltered against Syracuse too, allowing two return returns for 64 yards. I don’t care how good the defense is, big punt returns put them in a bad spot with a short field.
FSU football needs to fix these issues yesterday.