Husker football reviews special teams for Texas game

When Niles Paul returned a Colorado punt for a touchdown last Friday, it was hard for John Papuchis to not smile.

The Paul punt return meant more than just six points for Nebraska. It finally gave the NU special teams unit and its coach a reward after weeks of hard work.

"We knew that we weren't very far from having a big breakout play like that," Papuchis said. "We had been close on a couple kick returns and punt returns earlier in the year, and this one worked out for us. Everybody got their blocks and Niles made a play."

Paul said it was nice to get a little redemption of his own on the punt return. Against Iowa State, Paul fumbled away one of Nebraska's eight turnovers just five yards away from the end zone with nobody around him. He made sure to not commit that same mistake once he saw the open field against the Buffaloes.

"It's one of the best feelings you can have as a football player on any level – just to see the endzone," Paul said. "It was nice to just make it there and not trip up, knowing my clumsy self."

Paul's run back was Nebraska's first returned kick for a touchdown this year. Before, the special teams unit was identified by its biggest blunder of the season, instead of its minor successes.

It was a mere five weeks ago when Iowa State punter Mike Brandtner surprised the NU punt return unit with a 20-yard-run on a fake punt on a fourth down and five. The big play from the ISU punter led to what proved to be ISU's game-winning touchdown.

Papuchis said he'd rather not be reminded of NU's game against the Cyclones.

"It was obviously disappointing," Papuchis said. "We were in a bad call, and that was our fault from a coaching perspective. But at the same time, we should have never been in that position. It made us re-think some of our approaches."

The NU special teams coach said there has been a lot of learning done since Nebraska's loss to the Cyclones. Kicker and punter Alex Henery has been the constant bright spot for the Huskers, with most of his playmaking ability shining through in the punting game. Henery continued his immaculate punting in Boulder, Colo., last week, giving the Buffaloes an average starting field position at their own 16-yard line, including two CU drives that had to start inside the 10-yard line.

Henery's pinpoint control with his punts have even surprised him, but the junior punter stressed that it is little things on special teams that have really allowed NU to stay even-keeled throughout the year.

"I think the special teams really has held this team together this year," Henery said. "Especially when not a whole lot of us played real well earlier in the year. These last few games, the special teams have really come up and helped us pull out some huge wins."

Paul lauded Henery as a top candidate for the team's most prestigious award.

"I think he's the MVP of this team," Paul said. "He puts our defense in incredible positions. It gives them the opportunity to get the ball back to the offense."

Henery is preparing to showcase his foot early and often on Saturday in the Big 12 Conference championship game. The last time the Huskers played for a conference title was 2006 against Oklahoma – a game marked by Husker special teams errors. Nebraska stumbled right out of the gate when former NU receiver Maurice Purify couldn't return the opening kickoff outside of NU's own 10-yard line.