The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/337646
94 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL 2014 BY RYAN TICE I f NC State's senior specialists — punter Wil Baumann, kicker Niklas Sade and long snapper Scott Thompson — do what they are capable of on the gridiron this fall, fans will hardly notice them, according to co-special teams coordinator Eddie Faulkner. "You don't notice any of those guys until they do something they shouldn't," he said. "If Nik Sade is kicking a 40-yard field goal, ev- erybody expects it to go in. We expect the ball to be snapped every time on the punt, but if it's snapped over his head, everybody in the stadium knows what happened. The best thing about the specialists, to me, is when you don't notice them. "That's a goal we talk with them about — be- ing consistent and not being noticed because you're definitely executing." Two of the Wolfpack's specialists flew under the radar by doing their jobs well during the 2013 season, but did not remain anonymous after the campaign. Sade was listed as a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, which is annually given to the nation's top kicker, and also earned NC State's Governor's award, which is awarded to the team MVP. Meanwhile, Phil Steele's named Thompson a first-team All-American. Baumann also enjoyed his finest campaign yet, ranking sixth in the ACC with an average of 42.2 yards per punt. "I would say we're very fortunate to have those guys," Faulkner noted. "They've done a great job not only in the past, but they're good leaders, they know what we want and it makes you feel very confident about the little things in a game. "They've done some great things, but there are also things that they could be more consistent on. Those kids are smart — they know that and they've put forth the effort to get that done." The kick and punt returner positions were still pretty open at the end of the spring, but sopho- more Bra'Lon Cherry may have a little bit of an edge. He returned four punts and nine kickoffs last year, but will be pushed by fellow receivers Bo Hines, Gavin Locklear and Johnathan Alston, as well as running back Matt Dayes and corner- back Malcolm Means, among others. Faulkner has seen great strides from his entire group this spring, and he also thinks the Pack could be improved on its coverage units. The team loses special teams ace Zach Gentry, who led the way with 11 special teams tackles last year, and returns only one player who logged more than three takedowns on the coverage units in redshirt junior safety Tim Buckley — who ranked second with eight — but the coach sees more depth to choose from. "Zach was obviously great on special teams, but he stood out so Special Teams Roster STARTERS No. Name Pos. Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 36 Wil Baumann P Sr. 6-6 197 Wilmington, N.C. Baumann ranked sixth in the ACC with an average of 42.2 yards per attempt, and he placed 19 punts inside the 20-yard line and forced 17 fair catches. 32 Niklas Sade K Sr. 6-3 199 Wake Forest, N.C. Sade finished second in the league and 11th nationally with an average of 1.58 field goals per game. He was 19 of 23 on field goals with a long of 48 yards, and also made all 31 point-after tries. 57 Scott Thompson LS Sr. 5-11 246 Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. Thompson was named a first-team All-American by Phil Steele after the 2013 campaign. WAITING IN THE WINGS No. Name Pos. Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 62 R.C. Brunstetter LS Fr. 6-3 229 Mocksville, N.C. The walk-on enrolled early out of Davie County High. 52 Ben Garnett LS Jr. 6-0 217 Charlotte Garnett is a walk-on long snapper from Rocky River who relieved Thompson against Florida State after he was knocked out with a concussion. Co-special teams coordinator Eddie Faulkner noted that he did so well even some coaches didn't know Thompson was out. — Jackson Maples K Fr. 6-0 190 Southern Pines, N.C. Maples is a preferred walk-on kicker who booted a 60-yard field goal as a junior at Pinecrest High. 47 William Stephenson P R-So. 6-3 184 Raleigh Stephenson is a walk-on punter from Wakefield High. 99 Ryan Stevens K R-So. 6-3 194 Raleigh Stevens is a walk-on kicker from St. David's. SPECIAL TEAMS EXPERIENCED AND CONSISTENT NC State's Senior Trio Of Specialists Should Combine To Form One Of The Nation's Best Units ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too unproven Starters *** Scott Thompson is a returning first-team All-American, Niklas Sade is the returning team MVP and a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, and Wil Baumann improved his punting average to 42.2 yards per attempt in 2013. Eyebrows may have been raised when NC State brought in a trio of freshman specialists on scholarship, but it paid off last year and dividends should be even bigger this fall. The returners and coverage units are a mystery, more or less. Experience **** You won't find a group of specialists any more experienced that NC State's trio, es - pecially with each other (Baumann holds for all kicks). The ensemble has been together for three full years, and the group has missed just one game during its time together. Depth * Backups have not had many opportunities since the three have stepped on campus, so depth is unproven. Ben Garnett did impress last year against Florida Sate and Jackson Maples has a nice prep résumé for a walk-on. Overall grade *** The overall grade is brought down by major question marks at punt and kick returner, and on the coverage units, but co-coordinator Eddie Faulkner is confident in finding replacements. Baumann, Sade and Thompson should all have their best years yet and contend for national honors. Year-By-Year Kicking Stats Year FG PAT Punt Avg. 2013 19-23 31-31 42.0 2012 13-23 44-46 38.4 2011 11-16 46-47 37.2 2010 21-27 49-50 37.8 2009 10-12 46-47 37.1 2008 16-19 33-34 38.2 2007 16-18 25-25 36.7 2006 12-16 22-23 39.1 2005 15-20 28-29 38.6 2004 13-22 29-29 41.9 94-96.STs.indd 94 6/27/14 12:18 PM