Starting Field Position after Devin Bell KO

[DawgsOnTheWing]

These starting field positions after a Bell KO are from HailState's drive charts. Only starting field position after return was used, does not include any additional penalty set back. Average starting field position does not include touch backs.

USM: 7 KOs, 1 touch back, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 38, average starting field position 20.2 yard line (Graves had 1 kick off, not included).

UAB: 8 KOs, 2 TBs, 14, 16, 20, 22, 26, 39, average 22.8 yard line.

USA: 6 KOs, 4 TBs, 22, 24, average 23.0 yard line.

Season average starting field position after Bell KOs 21.7 yard line. KO coverage been pretty nice so far.

 

[dawgstudent]

Interesting stats. I'm surprised that some don't want the guarantee of no touchdown. I'll take a touchback everytime.

 

[PBRME]

I agree. We're about to start playing quality opponents. Don't try to be cute.

 

[tenureplan]

If you look at the averages

It seems like such a minute difference (3-4 yds) to risk giving up a big play. However, when 2-3 per game are inside the 15, that is a difference. It's really hard to score when starting from there.

I think we should keep kicking to the goaline unless the opposing team shows the ability to break one or like with USA, they are bringing it out to near the 25 anyway. the former happens or the latter happens more than once, go ahead and start kicking it out of the back.

 

[BigDog72.sixpack]

Exactly, and LSU definitely has a history of running kicks back against us. Punts as well.

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

If you have a choice, you kick it out the back every day against SEC athletes

 

[messageboardsuperhero]

If you have a choice, you kick it out the back every day against SEC athletes

I agree.

 

[DawgsOnTheWing]

50 percent of the returned kick offs have yielded starting field position at or inside the 20 yard line, which seems pretty substantial given the longer drive distances should typically favor the defense. However, I agree that the average differential doesn't seem like much versus the risk of a long return. Plus, kick off returns for a score generate huge momentum swings that can really change the course of a game. I don't have a problem with how we've handled KOs up until this point, but I imagine we will see more touch backs with quality SEC return men back there.

FWIW, the worst starting position in the UAB game was after the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and Bell was kicking from our 20 yard line.

 

[DerHntr]

Agree that we have covered well against The Sisters of the Poor. From here on out, kick it out of the end zone if we can. Not only will the SEC have better athletes who can run it back, but they will also have bigger people on ST which can increase injuries.

The huge blocks that happen often in a kick return for a TD score aren't likely when you don't provide a chance. There may be a big block here and there up front during any random kickoff, but it seems that major injuries occur after the first wave of coverage has broken down.