It’s a common football mindset. Special teams sit in background until someone either makes a mistake or an incredible play. When that happens, the position group is thrust to the forefront to be scrutinized or praised.
After the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game between No. 3 Florida State and No. 1 Alabama the kickers, punters and returners will be all anyone wants to talk discuss. More specifically, the Crimson Tide special teams will be celebrated and the Seminoles’ special teams will be scorned.
The Crimson Tide blocked a punt, blocked a field goal and recovered a fumble on a kickoff en route to a 24-7 victory Saturday night at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher and safety Derwin James both said they were surprised by many of the special teams’ errors.
“We do over 30, 35, 40 minutes day on special teams,” Fisher said. “We work it hard.”
“I was kind of surprised we had so many breakdowns because we practice on that so many times,” James said.
Florida State’s special teams’ woes began at the end of the first half. Trailing 10-7 and with a chance to tie the game heading into the locker room, kicker Ricky Aguayo had his 37-yard attempt blocked by All-American Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Things continued downhill in the second half.
Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris, who also plays on the punt coverage team, went nearly untouched through the Seminoles’ line and blocked a Logan Tyler punt. Alabama’s Dylan Moses on the FSU 6-yard line.
“The guy just slid inside our guy. We knew who to block, what he did, and he just slid inside from what I understand,” Fisher said.
The Seminoles held strong and gained a moral victory when they forced the Crimson Tide back a yard after four plays and limited the Tide to a 25-yard field goal. That made the score 13-7.
However, another mistake on the ensuing kickoff compounded the error.
Returner Keith Gavin dropped the ball on his goal line while running to catch it. Because he was right at the goal line and unsure whether he should take it out of the end zone or take a knee, he picked the ball up and ran. Gavin made it just nine yards before Moses knocked the ball out of his hand and Alabama’s Keith Holcombe recovered.
"[Gavin] played a great game, and he just made a bad decision. He thought he was out farther, wasn't as close to the goal line, and he should have just let the ball go," Fisher said. "Just made a poor decision, and tried to get it out and actually fumbled."
A tired Seminoles defense was forced right back on the field, facing a Crimson Tide offense that began the drive on the FSU 11. On the first play, Harris ran right up the middle for a touchdown, which put the Crimson Tide ahead 21-7.
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