SPECIAL TEAMS WON’T GRAB HEADLINES IN AUGUST, BUT THEY COULD SWING SOME GAMES FOR WVU THIS FALL
When the buzz of preseason camp rolls around in Morgantown, most of the chatter naturally centers on quarterback battles, revamped offensive schemes, or defensive standouts ready to make their mark. What often goes overlooked, however, is one of the most underrated yet decisive aspects of football: special teams. For West Virginia University this fall, it could very well be the hidden factor that makes the difference between a middle-of-the-pack Big 12 finish and a season that surprises everyone.
Special teams rarely shine in practice reports. Kickers drilling field goals on the side, punters working on hang time, and returners jogging through drills simply don’t generate the same excitement as a deep touchdown pass or a goal-line stand. Yet when September rolls around and the margins shrink in tightly contested games, those very units could tilt the outcome.
For WVU, the kicking game has been a question mark in recent years. Missed field goals and inconsistent punting have cost the Mountaineers precious momentum. If the new season brings steadiness from the kicker and reliability in pinning opponents deep, Neal Brown’s squad gains a crucial edge. In a conference known for explosive offenses, flipping field position can be the difference between forcing a punt and surrendering seven points.
Return specialists also deserve attention. A timely kickoff return or punt return can instantly swing momentum in front of 60,000 fans at Milan Puskar Stadium. WVU doesn’t need a Devin Hester-type miracle worker—it just needs a return game that avoids costly mistakes and occasionally provides a spark.
Ultimately, championships are built not only on star quarterbacks or stout defenses, but also on those unheralded plays where special teams deliver. WVU fans may not be chanting their kicker’s name in August, but come October and November, a clutch 47-yard field goal or a perfectly executed punt could be what keeps bowl hopes alive.
This fall, don’t overlook special teams in Morgantown—they may not lead the headlines, but they just might write the story.
