Kickoff Returns

[Boilerbrewer]

As dynamic as Moore has been this year, I wonder if his desire to break a kickoff offsets the advantage of simply taking the ball at the 25 without risking poor field position due to penalties or good coverage by the kicking team.

His high water mark was the NW game in which he returned three kickoffs past the 25. The net gain relative to simply making fair catches was 22 yards.

He didn't return a kick against EMU, and just had one return against Missouri. He returned it past the 25, but a holding call spotted the ball at the 14. His only return against BC was for 11 yards to the 22.

His three returns at Nebraska netted a -12 yards...he brought one kickoff out to the 29, but was stopped at the 10 and had a third return brought back to the 24 after a penalty.

He had no returns against Illinois, and his three returns against OSU only netted three yards as opposed to fair catches.

MSU was his only other net positive game (11 yards) due to a 48-yard return.

Finally, against Iowa, he was tackled at the 11, 14, and 15 yard lines on three returns, for a net loss of 35 yards.

So, although the net overall impact has been small when you consider the entire season to date, I can see the additional wear and tear catching up to him, and I'd almost rather he take the guaranteed spot at the 25 as opposed to rolling the dice.

 

[Chi-Boiler]

I agree with you. It's almost as if he's trying to do too much. He dances a lot at around the 15 yard line and it usually costs him. I remember one longer return, maybe against MSU? to about the 40-45.

 

[Boilerbrewer]

I agree with you. It's almost as if he's trying to do too much. He dances a lot at around the 15 yard line and it usually costs him. I remember one longer return, maybe against MSU? to about the 40-45.

Sorry...I hit <enter> too soon by mistake. It's all there now.

 

[NVboiler]

Perhaps Purdue has to practice these returns and blocking for them as there has been little advantage (if any) in his returns. Just look what Iowa did on their returns.

 

[Chi-Boiler]

He came up on a low line drive punt Saturday, split 2 tacklers and made a big gain.

 

[cinboiler]

As dynamic as Moore has been this year, I wonder if his desire to break a kickoff offsets the advantage of simply taking the ball at the 25 without risking poor field position due to penalties or good coverage by the kicking team.

His high water mark was the NW game in which he returned three kickoffs past the 25. The net gain relative to simply making fair catches was 22 yards.

He didn't return a kick against EMU, and just had one return against Missouri. He returned it past the 25, but a holding call spotted the ball at the 14. His only return against BC was for 11 yards to the 22.

His three returns at Nebraska netted a -12 yards...he brought one kickoff out to the 29,

He is incredible. I feel he de accelerates and almost comes to a stop on kickoffs and runs east-west vrs. north-south. I feel that method works fine on punt returns. Seems the other teams play do not give the outside and contain him to the middle which gets jammed up. I did not think our special teams coverage was great against Iowa. They broke several for large gains. We started short of the 25 various times. The other teams are very aware of Moore on kickoffs and punt returns and as in baseball, try to not give him much to hit. He is going to break one. I am thankful we have him.

 

[Wolegib]

Wow somebody with the same thoughts as me? Where is Purdue 85 to jump all over him?

 

[BoilerAndy]

He is incredible. I feel he de accelerates and almost comes to a stop on kickoffs and runs east-west vrs. north-south. I feel that method works fine on punt returns. Seems the other teams play do not give the outside and contain him to the middle which gets jammed up. I did not think our special teams coverage was great against Iowa. They broke several for large gains. We started short of the 25 various times. The other teams are very aware of Moore on kickoffs and punt returns and as in baseball, try to not give him much to hit. He is going to break one. I am thankful we have him.

This. The winning drive against Iowa started with a very short punt by the Hawkeyes because they were trying to avoid kicking to Moore. He doesn't have to be near the ball to impact the game. He just needs to be on the field.