Special teams cost Georgia some games last year, and it could be argued it cost them the Clemson game.
The Bulldogs were in position to tie the Tigers at 31-all with a chip-shot field goal late in the third quarter this time last year. But Georgia never got off the kick. Holder Adam Erickson was unable to handle a high snap from Nate Theus and the Bulldogs ended up losing the game by three points.
Georgia also failed to recover an onsides kick at the end of the Clemson game and special teams gaffes were a theme that followed it all season. They had nine major breakdowns in all, and they came in every different variety.
There were two high punt snaps, two blocked punts for touchdowns, a kickoff return for a touchdown, two muffed punts and a fake field goal for a touchdown. Add to that the fact that the Bulldogs finished 122nd in punt returns (2.92-yard average) and 108th in kickoff returns (18.60) and it was clear that they needed to make changes this season.
Georgia did that by restructuring special teams coaching duties and assigning special teams coordination duties to two coaches. Tight ends coach John Lilly was designated as offensive special teams coordinator and inside linebackers coach Mike Ekeler was named defensive special teams coordinator. Lilly is in charge of kickoff return, punt return, extra points and field goals. Ekeler oversees kickoff, punt return block and extra point/field goal defense.
The confusing part is the specific duties are still parceled out among assistants. For instance, receivers coach Tony Ball decides kickoff return duties and running backs coach Bryan McClendon does the same on punt returns.
“There’s always been about four or five (coaches) with each team,” Little told reporters this week “But I think the difference is just who’s accountable for them at the end of the day.”
In other words, if things don’t do well again this season, Lilly and/or Ekeler will be the ones to blame, depending on the areas of breakdowns.
