Special teams problems for Michigan are all too familiar

by John Heuser | The Ann Arbor News

Wednesday September 05, 2007, 12:41 AM

Ask Oregon football coach Mike Bellotti for his remembrances of the 2003 meeting between his Ducks and the University of Michigan, and he gets right to special teams. Specifically a long touchdown return by the Wolverines off a blocked first-quarter field goal, which Bellotti described on a conference call Tuesday.

Ask Michigan fans about the game, and they'll likely talk special teams as well. Special teams problems - which ultimately cost the Wolverines victory.

There was the 61-yard punt return touchdown by Oregon. A fake punt by Michigan resulting in a fumble that the Ducks recovered.

A blocked extra point hindered the Wolverines, and another PAT went wide. Then there was the punt that Oregon blocked and returned for the deciding touchdown in the 31-27 Ducks win.

Shaky special teams defined that game for Michigan, and they also played a major roll in Michigan's most recent defeat.

Though the number of special teams miscues weren't as plentiful during Michigan's loss to Appalachian State last Saturday, they were just as devastating.

The Mountaineers blocked not one, but two, late fourth-quarter field-goal attempts in a 34-32 victory that bounced Michigan from the polls. The last block came with seconds remaining as the Wolverines attempted what would have been a game-winning 37-yarder.

Michigan senior Shawn Crable lunged for the outside rusher, rather than taking on the player to his inside. That decision provided the inside man, Corey Lynch, with a straight path to the kicker.

"With the chance to win, we didn't execute a fundamental play," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "A play we have worked extremely hard on all fall."

It's a play the Wolverines may get to try again this weekend, against an opponent none other than Oregon (1-0). With the unranked Ducks booked to play in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines could use some work on their punt and kickoff returns as well.

Neither area was particularly productive in the opener, with Michigan averaging 7.0 yards per punt return and 20.2 yards per kickoff return.

Michigan's Zoltan Mesko had no troubles against the Mountaineers, however. He averaged 48.7 yards on three punts.

John Heuser can be reached at jheuser@annarbornews.com or 734-994-6816.