The Wolverine

April 2013

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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Special Teams Coach Dan Ferrigno Would Like To Break A Few More Big Returns, But His Top Priority Is Protecting The Football M By Michael Spath ichigan fans have been waiting three-plus years for the wow in U-M's return game. The Wolverines last returned a kickoff for a touchdown against Notre Dame in 2009 (49 games ago) and last returned a punt for a score that same year when Brandon Graham returned a blocked kick in a win over Delaware State (44 games ago). But while the fans and media might focus on the big plays, special teams coach Dan Ferrigno is locked in on the details, largely a lack of turnovers and greater coverage on kickoffs and punts. "We think our punt game is in pretty good shape. We think with [sophomore] Dennis Norfleet back, and [senior] Drew Dileo, we think we have two good returners, and we like the direction we're going there," Ferrigno started. "My biggest thing … is you don't want to screw things up in the return game, where the ball is on the ground or you're letting balls bounce." Michigan did not fumble a kickoff or a punt last season, maintaining possession on its 100 opportunities. Nor did the Wolverines cough up the football on one of its 100 chances in 2011. "When it's all said and done, you want to possess the ball and give your offense a chance," Ferrigno said. "What you don't want to do is put it on the ground because you're trying to make a play or fielding a ball you shouldn't field. So we err on the side of caution. "Making poor decisions on when to bring the ball out of the end zone … we've been good at that stuff and want to continue because Dennis would return everything. He would return it if the ball was out of bounds, if you let him. But we're developing an understanding about what's good to bring back and what's not, and he's getting that." Returners Back For Another Year Norfleet proved electric at times in 2012, averaging 23.6 yards per kickoff return — U-M's best since Darryl Stonum, responsible for that TD return against Notre Dame, averaged 25.7 yards in 2009 — while he had seven individual returns of 30 yards or more. However, he never broke one greater than 38 yards and has room to grow. "I think he has a real good feel for where the ball should go," Ferrigno said. "He makes very few poor decisions. He makes a lot of people miss, and now what I'd like to see him do is take it once he makes you miss. And

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