Florida State is again changing its punt returner heading into Saturday’s game at Maryland. And this time, the Seminoles will apparently be using two returners.
Wide receivers Rashad Greene and Kenny Shaw said Tuesday that they will be on the field at the same time and return punts against the Terrapins. Greene averaged 15.8 yards per return this season and even had two punt returns for a touchdown before inconsistency in fielding punts prompted coach Jimbo Fisher to switch to Tyler Hunter.
But while Hunter had a punt return for a touchdown against Duke, he also fumbled a punt against the Blue Devils and Virginia Tech and then allowed another punt against the Hokies to roll deep into FSU’s end.
Fisher didn’t want to talk specifics about FSU’s punt return strategy but said that Greene, Shaw and Hunter are in the mix.
“It’s not as much always catching as decision-making,” Fisher said. “Getting your body there in position to make it … Don’t worry about trying to make a big play. Decision-making is one of the things we’ve really harped on.”
Maryland’s Nathan Renfro averages 39.7 yards per punt, but he also excels as a directional punter — something that has helped FSU decide to use two return men.
“His hit chart is all over the place, so he can kick it anywhere,” Greene said of Renfro. “That’s the reason why we have two guys. One guy will have one side of the field and the other guy will be able to protect him.”
Shaw also returned punts in high school and said he feels comfortable with the role.
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