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PROVO -- After evaluating all the position groups throughout the season, it's now time to highlight BYU's special teams and the season they've had to this point.
There have been a couple of major firsts in a long time for the Cougars special teams this season.
The first time in 13 years we've seen a kickoff returned for a touchdown since Mike Rigell did it in 1998. And the first time in five years a punt was returned for a touchdown since McKay Jacobson did it in 2006.
Along with those feats being accomplished, it's time to look at the potential that the BYU special teams has for the future.
Justin Sorenson, sophomore place kicker: Justin Sorenson gained a lot of attention his senior year in high school at Bingham High School when he booted a 62-yard field goal through the uprights. Sorenson debuted in 2008 for the Cougars right out of high school seeing limited action with hitting both his extra point attempts, and converting one of his three field goal attempts for the season. Since then, Sorenson has returned from his mission in Georgia and been perfect so far with extra points (28/28).
So far this season he has shown promise with 12/17 field goals with a long of 46. He is yet to make a 50+ yarder, missing all three attempts.
"You can only kick so many balls, so sometimes we'll aim for a garbage can or one of the poles," said Sorenson about practice. "It makes it really fun; it's nice to have competition because there is only a few of us."
Riley Stephenson, junior punter: Riley Stephenson has been having an up and down season as of late with some miscues coming out of the TCU game in Dallas. Stephenson has seen a lot of success at the punting position averaging 42 yards per punt, with a long of 67, and eight of his punts being downed within the 20 yard line. As of most recent, there have been some concerns with the punter position, making BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall assess the situation mid season.
"We are still having our punters alternate in practice. It wasn't just punting it was the snaps as well. The first thing that happens on a punt is a perfect snap," said Mendenhall. "Those have to be more consistent. We are working hard on it and we are addressing it probably more than any other special teams issue right now."
Cody Hoffman, sophomore wide receiver/kick returner: Cody Hoffman became a fan favorite for snapping a 13- year void with a kickoff returned for a touchdown. This season Hoffman is averaging 24.3 yards a return, with a long of 93 that went all the way for a touchdown against UCF in mid September. Since being on the kick return team in the middle of last season, it has been a goal for Hoffman to return one all the way for six.
"I just ran hard and it was there. I got past the first set of guys, and then my lead blocker took out the kicker, and then I knew I had it from there," said Hoffman on returning the kick. "I wanted to change it since last year."
J.D. Falslev, sophomore wide receiver/punt returner: Since being the punt returner last season, J.D. Falslev has been fairly quiet until two weeks ago when he returned a punt for a touchdown against TCU. Falslev averages 8.7 yards a return with a long of 67 that went all the way for six. It has been a good season for Falslev so far, but he has been quick to give credit to his teammates for opening holes.
"It just took a couple guys getting some key blocks, and me hitting the hole to really spring it," said Falslev. "We've taken a lot of pride in special teams this year, and I think it's showing significantly."
As the season comes to a close, there are still improvements to be made, but for the most part, it has been a good season for BYU special teams.
"There are a lot of good things happening on special teams," said Mendenhall. "We have returned a punt for a touchdown, a kickoff for a touchdown and blocked a punt all in the same year."
Players like sophomore linebacker Kyle Van Noy have contributed with a blocked punt against Idaho State. Sophomore running back Mike Alisa has been a key tackler on kickoffs along with junior linebacker Ezekiel Ansah who is primarily the first guy down the field every kickoff.
Often times fans don't realize how big of a difference special teams can make until there is a mistake. Until the TCU game, BYU's special teams has slipped under the radar, and are now looking to finish off the season the way they began.
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