Oregon Ducks Football: Scouting Colorado’s Special Teams

One thing that Colorado can bank on is its special teams play this season. The Buffaloes rank in the top four in punting and field goals in the Pac-12, and are one of the four teams remaining in the conference that hasn’t missed an extra point.

Sept 10, 2011; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes kicker Will Oliver (91) follows through on a field goal in the first quarter against the California Golden Bears Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

Sophomore kicker Will Oliver has made four of five field goals this season, which actually ranks first percentage-wise in the conference. Alright, so it’s a cheap way to reach 80 percent, but half of the Pac-12 (including Oregon) has yet to kick more than nine field goals.

Oliver was the only offense in their last game against USC, making both of his field goal attempts. His lone miss took place against Washington State in the team’s only victory this season.

He did make all five extra points in the game, the most they’ve had all year long. Only the game against Sacramento State did Oliver have to make more than two extra points. Last week’s game against USC was the only time when he didn’t have to kick an extra point.

Sophomore punter Darragh O’Neill has kicked 46 punts this season, nailing 17 of them inside the 20 yard line and booted 10 of them for more than 50 yards.

Both the returning game on punts and kickoffs hasn’t been as special. It doesn’t help when multiple freshman are out there handling the duties. The team averages just around 20.57 yards a return on kickoffs and just 5.50 yards a return on punts.

Brian Spaen is the lead editor for Autzen Zoo. See his banter with other FanSided writers and love for his favorite west coast professional teams by following him on Twitter.

Read his other work on the Iowa State blog, Clones Confidential, and Lacrosse the Web.