The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/337646
76 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL 2014 of the time. I know kids from other schools that were a freshman or sophomore going in, and the snapper or holder was a senior. The kicker wanted to go out and practice, but the senior didn't want to because he already knew what he was doing. For us, almost every time we go out, we're together. We always try to have the same pieces there." The Multitasker Baumann will freely admit now that he never held for a kick before college, but that's not what he told the coaches when he first arrived. "I just wanted more playing time," Bau- mann said with a laugh. "I'm around them all of the time, so why not learn to hold? A lot of punters in the NFL do it, and I'm always there whenever they need somebody. "Another player might not take it as seri- ous and, being a punter, I think I understand the importance of how Nik wants the ball." Baumann got the hang of holding before the first game of his rookie year, and Sade was quickly amazed by his consistency. "I always trusted them," the kicker said. "He just got thrown in there holding —I've tried holding, and it's not that easy — but he did a really good job with it. Now, they're perfect with everything they do. "When I go up there, I know the ball is going to be there every time the same way I want it. It makes my job a lot easier, and that's a big part to me staying in rhythm." As for Baumann's main craft, he has steadily improved since he first arrived in Raleigh. As a freshman, he ranked third in the ACC with 21 punts placed inside the 20- yard line. He increased his punting average by nearly 1.5 yards in 2012 and then made a drastic jump up to 42.2 yards per attempt last fall, which ranked sixth in the league. Prior to Baumann's effort last year, the Pack has boasted a punting average of better than 42 yards just twice since 1987. "It was an improvement from my first two years, but there's still a lot left in the bag that I'm going to pull out this year," he said. "If I focus on the little things and do them right, there will be some big results. That's my goal — continuing to improve." The Trio When Doeren took over at NC State, he brought a drill with him that pits the three specialists against the rest of the team. Try- ing to simulate the pressure-filled environ- ment of a Saturday kick, the entire squad heckles the trio as they try to convert in practice. The players can say and do just about anything while they surround the special- ists. That involves screaming in their faces, banging on their helmets, squirting water in their ear holes and pulling their leg hairs out as they prepare for the attempt. Coaches also get in on the action — making noise and standing in Baumann's view of the snap until the last second — but these are the mo- ments the trio embraces. "It's fun; I love it," Sade said. "It's us three against everyone else out there. It's perfect because it's the away game mindset. Everyone is in your face, but as soon as the ball goes through, they go quiet. It's compe- tition, and it's awesome." The threesome knew that they found a special opportunity when they all arrived in Raleigh on scholarship. Each was looking for a place where they could start right away, and now they combine to form the team's biggest strength. The group is intent on end- ing their time together with a bowl game. Individual honors wouldn't be rejected, but the seniors have learned the team is the top priority. "Obviously you have your teammates and friends on the team, but then you have your close friends," Baumann explained. "We're all so interconnected because of what we do with the snapping, holding and kicking. "It's an indescribable experience to go out there and do it with your best friends. These are the guys I live with and we're playing football together — you can't really ask for anything above that." ■ Wil Baumann's career-best punting average of 42.2 yards per attempt ranked sixth in the ACC last year, and marked just the third time since 1987 that the Pack's punter boasted a mark of better than 42 yards per kick. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN Scott Thompson (above), Wil Baumann and Niklas Sade have played together in 37 of the Wolfpack's past 38 games. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN 74-76.Seniors on Special Teams.indd 76 6/27/14 10:57 AM