The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/846301
104 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017 SPECIAL TEAMS BY JACEY ZEMBAL N C State is well positioned to have one of the top special teams units in the ACC, but the Wolfpack has one large "if." Redshirt junior Carson Wise and junior Kyle Bambard will have a closely followed battle at kicker during fall camp, with the hope that one of them will emerge and calm the concerns by the time the season opener against South Carolina arrives. Wise, a graduate transfer from Carson-Newman, originally signed with Virginia Tech and redshirted his first year in his home- town of Blacksburg, Va. He departed the Hokies after one year, and went on to convert 21 of 31 field goals with a long of 49 yards during his two years at Carson-Newman. Wise will get every opportunity to win the job against the incum- bent Bambard, who made 12 of 24 field goals with a long of 48 his first two years in Raleigh. He went through an emotionally trying time after missing a 33-yard field goal that would have won the game at Clemson in regulation. The Tigers ended up winning 24-17 in overtime and went on to win the national title. Bambard was able to make six field goals during the Kay Yow Spring Game April 1, but will have to prove he can be reliable when it counts if he gets the nod. "[Wise] is going to have every opportunity to compete for that job," tight ends/fullbacks coach and special teams coordinator Ed- die Faulkner said. "That isn't anything the kids in that room don't know. Competition is good for everybody. "I think it is going to be key that group and position has success early in the year." Junior punter A.J. Cole III could join electric junior kick returner Nyheim Hines in challenging for All-ACC recognition. Faulkner just wants to see more consistency from start to finish. Cole aver- aged 41.3 yards on 51 punts with a long of 72 yards. He landed 16 inside the 20-yard line and had 20 punts fair caught. "He sees where he can improve," Faulkner said. "At one point, early in the year, he was probably one of the top three punters in our league. Then he had a down period there. "He wants to be more consistent. That is our challenge for him." Junior long snapper Tyler Griffiths returns and has been a rock for the Wolfpack. Bambard could AIMING FOR RELIABILITY An Improved Kicking Game Will Be Key For The Wolfpack Year-By-Year Kicking Stats Year FG PAT Punt Avg. 2016 9-17 42-45 39.7 2015 7-14 55-57 41.8 2014 12-17 46-48 45.4 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 Junior A.J. Cole III enters the 2017 campaign with the fourth-best career punting average in school history, 41.5 yards per attempt. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN ■ By The Numbers 6 Field goals made by junior kicker Kyle Bambard during the 2017 Kay Yow Spring Game, including a 47-yarder. 10 Tackles for senior strong safety Shawn Boone on special teams last year, which led the squad. 100 Yards on two different kickoff returns for touchdowns by junior running back Nyheim Hines, most recently against Vanderbilt last year in the Independence Bowl.