Penn State Football: Huff Talks Improving Special Teams

Often lost in the shuffle between a highly-powered offense, or a lockdown defensive unit are the guys, often members of the aforementioned groups, that help make those guys’ job easier. 

As teams jockey for field position, the special teams unit is the one that goes out to afford the offense some more yards to start, or give the defense a bigger field to defend.

It may have been the area of most damaged from the sanctions, as the team was hard pressed to fill out their roster with requisite fits to the unit. But special teams coordinator Charles Huff and the staff envisioned that with patience, the special teams unit will rectify its deficiencies.

And it appears that time has came sooner than later.

“We knew the depth restrictions were going to hinder us,” Huff said. “Knowing we had the pieces coming and the pieces maturing was exciting for us. Now, it’s just a great opportunity to watch that growing on the field.”

Huff revealed he went on a seven-city world trip in the offseason, meeting with NFL coaches, bouncing ideas and strategies around that he could implement at Penn State.

He said the trip brought reassurance that the program was already doing the right things and time will display positive results.

“It’s a good way to bounce ideas, get verification that we are doing it the right. It was very helpful for me,” Huff said.

Last week’s 28-3 win showed the effectiveness that special teams has at Penn State.

Punting on the opening drive, Chris Gulla, already in Rutgers territory, chip a punt downfield and senior safety Jordan Lucas made a diving stop to help down the ball on the Rutgers’ 2 yard line. This lead to a forced 3-and-out by the Penn State defense.

Gulla, making his first start of the season on a few days notice, alongside the coverage team neutralized one of the most dangerous returners in the nation in Janarion Grant, with five punts inside the opposing 20.

“I treat every day like game day for the past month and a half,” Gulla said. “I think just changing the way I practice really helped me succeed on the field.”

Although last week was impressive, Huff said he doesn’t want Gulla to become complacent.

“[Consistency] is the thing we continue to talk with him about,” Huff said. “As great as your game was last week, you have got to be consistent and do it all over.”

The return game has gave the gave the offense favorable field position time and time again this season. DeAndre Thompkins and Mark Allen spearhead the punt and kick returns, respectively. Through two games, the team averages 10.3 yards per punt returns and 29.0 yards on kick returns.

Special teams has served as an opportunity for some players to get their feet wet in the world of college football.

“A lot of our guys on special teams weren’t even playing college football last year,” Huff said. “To be able to get out there and have some success and play fast, fly around lets them build confidence, gives them a role and let’s them gain ownership over their certain area of their role.”

Huff said he told his guys: “Your success is not limited (to special teams), it only opens doors for you.”

When Huff rolled into Happy Valley with head coach James Franklin last year, the staff expected early adversity but the present results are just a step in the right direction toward the ceiling for this program.

“We talk to the whole team about success being rented,” Huff said. “You never own it. You have to go out and pay for it.”