Days 32-37: Special Teams

Last Updated on Wednesday, 05 August 2009 12:06 Written by Gary Randazzo Tuesday, 04 August 2009 23:51

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There’s a reason it’s called special teams.  Special teams is comprised of specialists and while the returners and kickers share the spotlight, the long snapper and the holder play as pivotal a role as any athlete on the field.

 

#61      Jason Bertoni

            Long Snapper

            6-1, 260, Sr.

            Santa Monica CC

            Venice HS, Santa Monica, CA

 

Arizona’s September 5 season opener will be somewhat of a homecoming for Jason Bertoni.  The senior long snapper started his college career playing for Central Michigan, seeing action in several games for the Chippewas during the 2006 season.  However, a decision to transfer closer to home soon found Bertoni playing for Santa Monica Community College.  Bertoni’s journey to Arizona was a long, but rewarding one.  Bertoni joined the Wildcat family as a late summer walk on a year ago but quickly earned a varsity letter, handling all long snapping opportunities on field goal attempts and punts in 2008.  His fine play resulted in Bertoni being awarded a scholarship this spring, following 13 starts last season.

 

Long snappers are highly unique athletes.  They have to be big enough and strong enough to fend off nose tackles at the snap, but elusive enough and fast enough to break free of the pile and sprint down the field to cover punts.  They must do all of this while ensuring that the snap reaches its intended target with supreme speed and accuracy.  To Bertoni’s credit, he’s worked extremely hard since arriving at Arizona, maintaining his strength while trimming down from 300 pounds to a fit and fiddle 260.

 

#47      Keenyn Crier

            Punter & Holder

            6-1, 200, Jr.

            Westfield HS, Spring, TX

 

Arizona’s junior punter has 25 career starts as a Wildcat.  During his career, he’s attempted 107 punts, averaging 43.8 yards per punt while pinning 36 inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.

 

The interesting thing about Crier is he’s one of Arizona’s best athletes.  He has tremendous hands and explosive legs.  Further, his frame is large, yet athletic, which is rare for a punter.  Due to Crier’s talents, he’s also expected to be the holder on Arizona’s field goal attempts.  Having someone like Crier serve as holder makes one wonder just how long it will be before Mike Stoops & Co. attempt a little trickery on special teams.

 

Crier was injured to start last season and it took him several games to return to form.  Assuming Crier remains healthy this year, the skies the limit for both Crier and the Wildcat punting unit.  Along with Cal’s Bryan Anger, Crier is among the cream of the crop of punters in not just the Pac-10, but nationally.

 

#13      Alex Zendejas

            Place Kicker

            5-11, 190, So.

            Ironwood HS, Glendale, AZ

 

Zendejas has yet to start a game at Arizona, but no worries there because he has the pedigree to be one of the best kickers in school history at a school known for its place kickers.  Zendejas’ uncle Max earned All-American honors at Arizona in 1985 and remains the school’s career scoring leader.  As a true freshman, Zendejas appeared in four games last season.  He was perfect on extra point tries, including a 3-for-3 performance in Arizona’s season opener against Idaho.  In that game, Zendejas also nailed a 51-yard punt, demonstrating his versatility.

 

Zendejas will have some serious pressure in 2009 though, and how he handles that pressure could mean the difference between a winning season and a losing season for Arizona.  Depending on how quickly the offense develops with a new starter at the helm, the Wildcats may be settling for a lot of field goals throughout the season.  If Zendejas is making kicks, the Wildcats will be fine.  If he’s not, things could get tense for Sonny Dykes if he’s having to gamble on 4^th and Long downs inside the 35-yard line.

 

#47      William “Bug” Wright

            Returner

            5-9, 175, So.

            Pauls Valley HS, Fox, OK

 

Wright had a solid spring camp, positioning himself well for perhaps a starting role at the inside receiver slot, as well as the key return man on special teams.  In 2008, the true freshman made some noise in several games, including a three-catch performance against Idaho and a 55-yard punt return against UCLA in Pasadena.

 

Wright has lightning quick speed and can accelerate to a sixth gear when given the space.  He’s not unlike Mike Thomas in his ability to reverse course and go against the grain on returns, which is something Thomas did regularly in 2008 for several electrifying scores.

 

Wright will have every opportunity to return both kicks and punts, but he isn’t alone in terms of talent in the return game.

 

For more on Bug Wright, read his Wildcat Sports Report Day 44 countdown to kickoff story.   

 

#2        Keola Antolin

            Returner

            5-8, 190, So.

            Bishop Gorman HS, Las Vegas, NV

 

Antolin set an Arizona school record for most touchdowns as a freshman with 10 scores in 2008.  He rushed for 525 yards, but also factored into Arizona’s return game with 15 kick off returns for 325 yards and a 21.5 average.  Against Toledo, Antolin returned three kicks for 98 yards, which included a long of 41 yards.

 

Placing Antolin alongside Wright in the kick return game gives the Wildcats a dynamic one-two punch on returns.

 

For more on Keola Antolin, read his Wildcat Sports Report Day 40 countdown to kickoff story.