Legends Channel » Special Teams

Game Ball: West Virginia Kicker Tyler Bitancurt

Stephen Wolek — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:10:19 +0000

The Backyard Brawl came down to special teams play as the West Virginia Mountaineers upset the Pittsburgh Panthers 19-16 in Morgantown.

West Virginia redshirt freshman kicker Tyler Bitancurt had the kind of game most kickers only dream about. He kept the Mountaineers in a tight game with three kicks that were good from 20, 43 and 39 yards. Bitancurt’s fourth and final kick came dramatically as time expired from 43 yards to give West Virginia the victory. After the game, Bitancurt said he had a premonition earlier in the week that he would kick the game winner.

For his outstanding special teams play, Tyler Bitancurt is awarded the “Legends Nike Game Ball” for the Special Teams Player of the Week.

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Game Ball: FSU Punt Returner Greg Reid

Stephen Wolek — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:01:32 +0000

Special teams play made the difference as the Florida State Seminoles came from behind to beat the Maryland Terrapins 29-26. With less than two minutes to play, the Terps were forced to punt. Instead of going for the block, head coach Bobby Bowden wanted to setup a return to give freshman returner Greg Reid a chance. Reid returned the punt 48 yards to the Maryland 44 yard line. From there, the Seminoles were able to drive for the winning score with just seconds remaining.

“You’ve got to give that guy his touches,” Offensive Coordinator Jimbo Fisher said. ” You have to give him those chances.”

Reid has made the most of his chances and is the ACC’s leading punt returner.

For his outstanding special teams play, Greg Reid is awarded the “Legends Nike Game Ball” for the Special Teams Player of the Week.

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Game Ball: Ohio State Kicker Devin Barclay

Stephen Wolek — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:15:34 +0000

Overtime and a pressure kick were needed for the Ohio State Buckeyes to get by the Iowa Hawkeyes 27-24 in Columbus. After Iowa failed to score on their first overtime possession, the Buckeyes took over with ball safety in mind. Head coach Jim Tressel called three short gain interior running plays and placed the game on kicker Devin Barclay’s shoulders. Barclay responded and hit the game winner from 39 yards. The win secured the first Rose Bowl bid for Ohio State since the 1996 season.

For his outstanding special teams play, Devin Barclay is awarded the “Legends Nike Game Ball” for the Special Teams Player of the Week.

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Game Ball: Houston Kicker Matt Hogan

Stephen Wolek — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:08:47 +0000

Hogan was the hero as the Houston Cougars came from behind to beat the Tulsa Golden Hurricane 46-45. With just three seconds remaining, redshirt freshman kicker Matt Hogan hit from 51 yards for the win. In all, Hogan had four field goals on the day to keep the Cougars in the game. The game winner was the fourth-longest kick in school history.

For his outstanding special teams play, Matt Hogan is awarded the “Legends Nike Game Ball” for the Special Teams Player of the Week.

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Game Ball: California K Giorgio Tavecchio

Stephen Wolek — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:21:59 +0000

Special teams helped the California Golden Bears come from behind to edge the Arizona State Sun Devils 23-21 in Tempe. With just 21 seconds left, sophomore Giorgio Tavecchio kicked a 24 yard field goal to give the Golden Bears the victory. He had previously missed a go-ahead kick with just under six minutes to play. Tavecchio hoped he would get a second chance and was supported by his team.

For his outstanding special teams play, Giorgio Tavecchio is awarded the “Legends Nike Game Ball” for the Special Teams Player of the Week

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Game Ball: Alabama DT Terrence ‘Mount’ Cody

Stephen Wolek — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:44:47 +0000

Great special teams play was the difference as the third-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide held on against the Tennessee Volunteers in Tuscaloosa 12-10. Senior defensive lineman Terrence Cody blocked two Volunteer field goal attempts in the fourth quarter. The last block thwarted a game winning attempt by Tennessee from 44 yards as time ran out.

“I just knew we had to make a play,” Cody said.

Cody’s special teams play not only preserved the win but also the Tide’s hopes for a national championship as they remain undefeated at 8-0.

For his outstanding special teams play, Terrence Cody is awarded the “Legends Nike Game Ball” for the Special Teams Player of the Week

Defense | Offense | Offensive Coordinator | Defensive Coordinator

Game Ball: TCU KR Jeremy Kerley

Stephen Wolek — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:52:28 +0000

Special teams play provided the spark as the TCU Horned Frogs beat the Colorado State Rams in Fort Worth, 44-6. With less than a minute to play in the first half, Jeremy Kerley took a Ram punt back 69 yards to put the Frogs on top 17-6. From there it was all Frogs scoring four unanswered touchdowns in the second half. This is Kerley’s second return in three games.

“It’s always fun to get the ball in his hands,” TCU head coach Gary Patterson said.

For his outstanding special teams play, Jeremy Kerley is awarded the “Legends Nike Game Ball” for the Special Teams Player of the Week.

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Game Ball: Oregon KR Kenjon Barner

Stephen Wolek — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 02:21:42 +0000

Special teams play provided the spark as the Oregon Ducks beat the UCLA Bruins in Pasadena 24-10. With the Ducks down by 3, Kenjon Barner took the opening second half kickoff back 100 yards. His return opened the floodgates as the Ducks scored 21 unanswered points in under four minutes.

For his outstanding special teams play, Kenjon Barner is awarded the “Legends Nike Game Ball” for the Special Teams Player of the Week.

Offense | Defense | Offensive Coordinator | Defensive Coordinator

Game Ball: Kansas State DB Emmanuel Lamur

Stephen Wolek — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 14:41:59 +0000

The Kansas State Wildcats displayed great special teams play to hold off the Iowa State Cyclones, 24-23. After a late score with just 32 seconds remaining, the Cyclones needed the extra point conversion to send the game into overtime. Sophomore defensive back Emmanuel Lamur had other plans and blocked the extra point, securing the victory for the Wildcats. The 6’4” Lamur has done it before, blocking a field goal earlier in the season.

“It was straight down the middle, I was like, Man, I’ve got to block this,” Lamur said. “I’m very confident in myself. We went all out, and we blocked the kick.”

For his outstanding special teams play, Emmanuel Lamur is awarded the “Legends Nike Game Ball” for the Special Teams Player of the Week.

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Game Ball: Georgia’s A.J. Green

Stephen Wolek — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 14:05:54 +0000

No. 14 Georgia needed a special play and got it from wide receiver A.J. Green as they edged Arizona State 20-17. Green had a big hand in the game as he caught 8 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown. But maybe his best play came when he was put in on the field goal block team late in the fourth quarter. The 6’4” Green skied to block the Sun Devil’s go ahead attempt with just over four minutes remaining.

“I am just in when we need it,” said Green, who is not a regular player on the field goal block team.

For the Bulldogs, Green was truly special on Saturday night.

For his outstanding special teams play, A.J. Green is awarded the “Legends Nike Game Ball” for the Special Teams Player of the Week.

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