FSU Football: Punt return is finally a weapon again with Noles

FSU football has been lacking in the punt return game for over half a decade. D.J. Matthews has revived that phase for the Noles.

When was the last time FSU football had a legit punt return game? Can you remember back that far? That’s right, it was 2011 with Greg Reid before he was kicked off the team prior to the 2012 season.

The Noles have been one of the worst punt return teams in the nation since that year, averaging 8.9 yards per return since 2012. Not only that, but they hardly ever returned punts because they’d fair catch the ball seemingly all the time.

In fact, FSU only had 175 punt returns from 2012-2017 or an average of 29 per year. That barely two punt returns per game on average.

Remember when we’d scream all game at the former regime for running Tarvarus McFadden out to return punts with D.J. Matthews sitting on the bench who we knew was better at it?

Well, someone finally listened and put D.J. Matthews in at punt return last year and it’s been great ever since. Matthews averaged 11.11 yards per return and had six more returns than McFadden in three fewer games.

This year has seen that production increase to 17.67 yards per return including his first return for a touchdown against Miami last week. He should have had a second punt return for touchdown against Miami if he would have cut outside instead of inside on one.

Matthews has really started to hit his stride the last three games after a slow start. He’s had 11 returns in his last three games for 197 yards.

Those punt returns against Miami helped the Noles win the field position battle which is something that’s hindered the FSU offense all season.

It has been a welcome sight after watching the Noles waste the opportunity to take advantage of the athletes they have on special teams the past few years.

Here’s to hoping D.J. Matthews continues his hot hand on punt return to set the FSU offense up with field position to score touchdowns and get things rolling in the second half of the season.