The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/73006
2012 FOOTBALL PREVIEW time leader in kickoff return yardage. Junior All-American corner David Am- erson and redshirt junior receiver Rashard Smith are the leading candidates to return punts, although redshirt sophomore wideout Bryan Underwood may also get into the mix. Petercuskie has no worries about using a star player such as Amerson on returns. "You are going to put the guy who can make the plays for you back there," he stated. "I remember in our days back at Virginia we had Tiki Barber. He returned punts, he Year-By-Year Kicking Stats Year 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 11-16 21-27 10-12 16-19 16-18 12-16 15-20 13-22 12-17 10-16 FG 46-48 49-50 46-47 33-34 25-25 22-23 28-29 29-29 56-59 52-59 PAT Punt Avg. 37.2 37.8 37.1 38.2 36.7 39.1 38.6 41.9 42.7 37.2 returned kickoffs and he was our starting tailback. That's a burden that those guys look forward to. They love that stuff. If they can help the team in any way they want to be out there and obviously they want to make a play. That's a motivating factor for them." Fifth-year senior receiver Tobais Palmer is the early favorite to return kickoffs, with Amerson and Underwood also likely to get looks in preseason camp. The coverage units will continue to be anchored by a Gentry, this time by senior linebacker Zach Gentry. Petercuskie called Gentry the "pseudo captain" of the special teams. He and his brother Taylor, a departed fullback, have led the team in special teams tackles in recent years. Zach Gentry has to- taled 15 tackles on special teams the last two seasons, leading the unit in hits in 2011 after his brother topped them in 2010. Petercuskie is hoping that a young line- backer such as sophomores Michael Peek, Brandon Pittman and Rodman Noel could step up on cover units. Other options include walk-on corner Josh Stanley, redshirt fresh- man receiver Maurice Morgan and redshirt freshman safety Hakim Jones. ■ Sophomore punter Wil Baumann averaged 37.5 yards per punt and downed 21 kicks inside the 20 on 65 attempts as a rookie last year. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN points to lead the team with 79 points. He made a long of 45 yards against Wake Forest, and also had five touchbacks on 70 kickoffs — although he did have four go out of bounds. Sade tied a single-game NCSU record with eight extra points in the thrilling 56-41 comeback victory NC State sophomore kicker Niklas Sade had a solid debut for the Wolfpack in filling a crucial role. Sade, who attended nearby Raleigh Wakefield High, went 11 of 16 on field goals and 46 of 47 on extra GETTING TO KNOW: Niklas Sade over Maryland Nov. 26 that made the Pack bowl eligible, and he had a season-high three fields goals in the 37-13 upset victory over Clemson Nov. 19. "I'm no longer a rookie and feel like a veteran now," Sade said. "I know what to do and how to work. "Once I made the first field goal, I was no longer nervous. It went away." Sade worked on his techniques this spring and welcomed walk-on newcomer Matthew Schaefer, a senior from Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons. The special teams guys will also go golfing together when they get a chance. "I've just been working on the little stuff to help with the big picture," Sade said. "Matt has been good competition. He's a very good kicker. Matt and I will have competitions and try to hit the uprights and things like that. Sometimes I'll go get Wil [Baumann] and try and compete with him on punting." Sade continues to work under the guidance of Charlotte-based Dan Orner, who was a former kicker at North Carolina (2002-03). "I usually call up or meet with him to talk about things," Sade said. "I went to see him during the spring and worked on foot position, shoulders and little stuff like that." The 6-3, 200-pound Sade has shown 50-yard range during various past NC State scrimmages. He hopes to continue to add distance on his field goals and kickoffs. "I've been lifting more now during the offseason, and my legs are getting stronger and my upper body is getting stronger to match my legs," Sade said. "I can see it where my ball is getting more flight and more drive." Sade said he'd chart his field goals and kickoffs during spring practices, and work with sophomore long snapper Scott Thompson and Baumann, a sophomore who serves as the holder in addition to his punting duties for the Wolfpack. "I usually do some drill work and then grab Wil and Scott to work on our timing," Sade said. "Most of our practice is getting the timing. We've worked on it where Scott gets the laces every time he snaps. That's crucial because then Wil just has to put it down. It speeds up our timing a lot." Sade grew up in Dusseldorf, Germany, before moving to Wake Forest, N.C., in middle school. He also Sade had a strong debut season, converting 11 of 16 field goal attempts and 46 of 47 point after tries for a team- high 79 points in 2011. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN 90 ■ THE WOLFPACKER switched from soccer to football. The former U.S. Army All-American Bowl participant originally com- mitted to Nebraska, but switched to NC State and the opportunity to stay close to his friends and family. "I'm grateful and happy to be here," said Sade, who is studying management. "I couldn't have made a better decision and I love it. My family is right down the road and I have a bunch of friends who go here and that I can talk to every day. It's good to have." — Jacey Zembal