LEWISBURG — In close football games, the ability of a program to turn to its special teams — specifically its kicking game — is crucial. At Bucknell, the special teams is handled by head coach Tim Landis. That shows you just how important that aspect of the game is to this team. “We lost a couple of nailbiters last year,” said Landis. “Normally in close games those players play crucial roles.” For Bucknell, the special teams are headlined by a couple of senior kickers that stand to be among the league’s best entering the fall season — kicker Will Carney and punter Phil Azarik. Both have been among the league’s best in their respective specialty over the last couple of seasons. “I’m excited about the kicking game,” said Landis. “We have an excellent punter, a four-year starter, and our kicker has started since the second half of his freshman year.” Landis said it takes a special kind of player to fill those specific roles. “Do your job and you rarely get noticed,” he said of his kickers. “It’s a really tough position to play. When you don’t do your job, that’s when you really get noticed. “That makes a difference when you’re an older, more mature player. You’re more prepared for it.” Bucknell’s special teams is further bolstered by the presence of kick returner A.J. Kizekai, who earned first-team all-league honors at the position and led the league with a 25.9 yards per return average. Punt returner Nolan Applegate ranked second in ...
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LEWISBURG — In close football games, the ability of a program to turn to its special teams — specifically its kicking game — is crucial. At Bucknell, the special teams is handled by head coach Tim Landis. That shows you just how important that aspect of the game is to this team. “We lost a couple of nailbiters last year,” said Landis. “Normally in close games those players play crucial roles.” For Bucknell, the special teams are headlined by a couple of senior kickers that stand to be among the league’s best entering the fall season — kicker Will Carney and punter Phil Azarik. Both have been among the league’s best in their respective specialty over the last couple of seasons. “I’m excited about the kicking game,” said Landis. “We have an excellent punter, a four-year starter, and our kicker has started since the second half of his freshman year.” Landis said it takes a special kind of player to fill those specific roles. “Do your job and you rarely get noticed,” he said of his kickers. “It’s a really tough position to play. When you don’t do your job, that’s when you really get noticed. “That makes a difference when you’re an older, more mature player. You’re more prepared for it.” Bucknell’s special teams is further bolstered by the presence of kick returner A.J. Kizekai, who earned first-team all-league honors at the position and led the league with a 25.9 yards per return average. Punt returner Nolan Applegate ranked second in ...