UNLV's biggest weakness

[dcut03]

We dont talk about this, but special teams. Not the kickers, obviously. Gute is the best in the league and Nichols has been solid. Im talking specifically about kick coverage and returns.
We don't try to return any kickoff anymore, and we are scared to death about kicking it to a kick off returner, even in the end zone.
This confuses me. We seem to be the deepest we've been in years, you would think we would have the talent for quality special teams across the board. Now being a good position player doesn't mean you will be good on special teams, but still.
What's up with that? Is it coaching? Anyone have thoughts

 

[reagan21]

Coaching. The end. They over pursue on both punting and kickoffs

with the rule you get the ball at the 25 after a touchback, it makes sense to never return a kickoff. Also, the squib seemed to work better against UNM last week instead of doing the high kick to the 20. Still not enough air under the ball in order to properly cover. The TE up back for UNM finally started fielding the squibs so they need to kick it more in the seams, but I agree with the decision to not kick it deep.

 

[dcut03]

I hear you, But fair catching a kickoff at the 10? You can tell the returner is frustrated at it.

Coverage has been suspect, that's for sure. Gave up a KO, and a punt that was called back with penalty (that probably didn't matter much).

So many of these squibs are putting the other team at the 30, 35, 40.

I don't want to say we play "scared", but we kind of play scared! Which stands out, since we do not tend to do this in other phases of the game.