Riley McCarron and the fair catch

[HawkIMalaise]

Think Private 1st Class Kurt told him to fair catch everything yesterday? How about the one he fielded on the 9 yard line with no one within 10 yards?

KF would have had Tim Dwight fair catching balls too, unless of course there was a less talented player that was older on the team with far less speed; in which case TD wouldn't be fielding punts at all.

 

[NCHawker]

I wondered about Iowa's punt return game yesterday too.

 

[1hawkeye1]

I think KF told him to fair catch them all. That one he caught inside the 10 with an over the shoulder catch was just ridiculous.

My question is why isn't KMM catching punts this season? KF is afraid of.....................................

 

[QuadCityHawkeye]

KMM used to fair catch a lot too even though he was a much better punt returner then either McCarron or VandeBerg.

I have to think they are coached to do that.

 

[HawkIMalaise]

On second thought I wouldn't risk a turnover either on punt returns. It would be one thing if we were struggling offensively but given we are the same level as Oregon in offensive points and production it is an unwarranted risk to return punts.

 

[biasedHAWKEYE]

Iowa didn't set up any returns yesterday...like...did you see any Iowa blockers in the vicinity on most of those punts? I didn't.

I think it was by design as a result. Either that or Iowa had a tough time getting down the field to set up some blocks.

 

[1hawkeye1]

Just seems that most coaches pull out all the stops to get all the yardage and points they can, while KF is more interested in field position and not making mistakes.

 

[iowalaw]

So it's by design to lose the field possession battle all game long? I thought the goal is to win?

Iowa didn't set up any returns yesterday...like...did you see any Iowa blockers in the vicinity on most of those punts? I didn't.

I think it was by design as a result. Either that or Iowa had a tough time getting down the field to set up some blocks.

 

[smhawk]

Just seems that most coaches pull out all the stops to get all the yardage and points they can, while KF is more interested in field position and not making mistakes.

Well this hurts fields position... but ball security is something he's pretty anxious about.

 

[Foval21]

Typically anything inside the ten is either fair caught or you let it bounce in hopes of getting a touchback. Anything inside the 15 is usually just fair caught if possible. Anything outside the 15 is usually up to the returner based on blocking and feel. Some teams do it different but this is pretty standard from what I have been told by higher up coaches.

 

[imported_ankle23]

Think Private 1st Class Kurt told him to fair catch everything yesterday? How about the one he fielded on the 9 yard line with no one within 10 yards?

KF would have had Tim Dwight fair catching balls too, unless of course there was a less talented player that was older on the team with far less speed; in which case TD wouldn't be fielding punts at all.

Kurt told Milk to take a knee too, that is your take, right? Your trolling is weak and old.

 

[biasedHAWKEYE]

So it's by design to lose the field possession battle all game long? I thought the goal is to win?

I'm just saying what I saw...and I didn't notice any returns set up. There were typically about 5 Purdue guys and 0 Iowa players around when McCarron caught the ball.

 

[Eda]

Looking at it from a different point of view… Perhaps the coaching staff felt Purdue would be desperate enough to get a win they would try anything. Including, but not limited to, fake punts. Setting up in punt safe all game could deter that from happening.

That's just a thought. I'm not in the huddle/lockeroom. So I can't exactly say that Kurt directed him to fair catch all punts.

 

[thetrza]

I guess the players were trying real hard to lose yesterday, but KF wouldn't let them.

 

[Jonesy86]

Maybe Kirk was super confident in our defense that he didn't feel it necessary for us to get all the yardage on returns as possible, but felt he DID have to give Beathard the biggest challenge possible.

 

[hawkeyebob62]

Think Private 1st Class Kurt told him to fair catch everything yesterday? How about the one he fielded on the 9 yard line with no one within 10 yards?

KF would have had Tim Dwight fair catching balls too, unless of course there was a less talented player that was older on the team with far less speed; in which case TD wouldn't be fielding punts at all.

Look on the bright side: there hasn't been a successful fake punt on us since first half of last season!

 

[MelroseHawkins]

Kf touched on this last year and admitted or made reference to just fair catching them all. Long gone are kicking and punting returns, possibly the more exciting plays in football. Moving the kickoffs back also take away onside attempts which are also exciting. Now all we fans can look forward to is the 2 minute commercial break after a kick. What fun!

 

[Billso]

I think KF told him to fair catch them all. That one he caught inside the 10 with an over the shoulder catch was just ridiculous.

That was a bad football play, period. I expect (hope?) even Ferentz would agree - the thing was on a line drive, let it go into the endzone. Thought the general rule was let anything inside the 10 go.

And didn't we earlier let a catchable punt bounce at around the 18 yd line? Equally dumb.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

That was a bad football play, period. I expect (hope?) even Ferentz would agree - the thing was on a line drive, let it go into the endzone. Thought the general rule was let anything inside the 10 go.

And didn't we earlier let a catchable punt bounce at around the 18 yd line? Equally dumb.

Yea, i was yelling at the tv. A couple of them could have returned.

 

[RocknRollface]

That's football