By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA - It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what aspect of the game hampered USF the most during its 5-7 run last season.
A concussion ended punt returner Terrence Mitchell's year after just four games and USF went on to rank 83rd in the nation in punt return yard average (6.52) - almost five yards fewer than 2010.
USF was a little better in kick return average (20.67 yards) to rank 80th in the country, but the Bulls only had one special teams return for a score - three fewer than 2010.
The Bulls' punt coverage was tight, surrendering only 2.1 yards per attempt, but kickoffs left fans holding their breath as opponents averaged 24.8 yards and scored twice. One kick return that still sticks out in head coach Skip Holtz's mind was the 98-yard scamper for a score by Rutgers' Jeremy Deering that sparked the Scarlet Knights' 20-17 victory in the fourth quarter.
"We've talked that we can be better on offense, better on defense, but I think where we can make the biggest impact in the 2012 season is special teams," Holtz said during Tuesday's press conference. "Not only in the way we kick and punt the ball, but in the way we cover kickoffs, cover punts, the big-play opportunities we have on kickoff return and punt return. I don't think we were near as effective a year ago, and that's one of the things we've worked hard on the last eight months."
USF has taken the "all hands on deck" approach to an aspect of the game that is easy to overlook, and hard to forget when things go wrong. Holtz has gotten more coaches involved than he ever has on units and having enough talent on the field won't be an issue.
"Come Saturday, you're going to look at kickoff, punt and punt return, and see a great deal of starters on defense and offense playing, and it's because I think it's important to us," starting linebacker Mike Lanaris said.
The Bulls' priority is to have a rebound season and all the winning ingredients are there - playmakers at the skill positions, a lot of depth at almost every position - but the biggest plus of this team could be its high level of accountability. It all started when some of USF's big names knocked on special teams coordinator Vernon Hargreaves' door and started volunteering for extra work.
"With that kind of being a weak point for us last year, we went to him and were like, 'Hey, I want to be on everything,'" said Lanaris, who will start on three units. "I think it's something we need to take a great sense of pride in."
Expect to see starting running back Demetris Murray on the front line during kickoff returns. You'll also spot starting safety JaQuez Jenkins and star cornerback Kayvon Webster buzzing around with a lot more of USF's prominent players.
"You talk about kickoff, it's the first play on defense that's kind of the way the guys are looking at it and treating it, and the same goes for the offense," Hargreaves said. "That's exciting to know those guys are really into it like that."
The bottom line is USF's stars want to win and going the extra mile in a "special" area could get the Bulls back to their usual level of success or beyond.
"It's a huge difference," Hargreaves said.
