Opponent Special Teams Preview: Idaho

It’s the most unanticipated feature of the week; and today it’s not just special teams, it’s Idaho Vandals’ special teams. Buckle up, Dawg fans.

Idaho has two great special teams players: Punter Austin Rehkow and placekicker —wait, no way— his name is Austin Rehkow too. What are the freaking odds of that? Man, if I look at the depth chart and find out the kickoff guy is named Austin Rehkow as well, I will flip my damn lid.

I guess it could be the same guy.

Renkow —named pre-season All American by USA today as a punter—is an NFL-type kicker as well. He has made over 85% of his field goal attempts in his career, including 8-10 on kicks over 40 yards. His 56.2% touchback percentage is also very good, and may allow the Vandals to negate John Ross on returns. The Huskies are hoping he is much more busy as a punter, where his 45.9 yard average and superior hang-time will help Idaho restrict Dante Pettis; unless of course he outkicks his coverage, which happens to big-legged punters. Rehkow is one of only two kickers in the country to be on both the Ray Guy and Lou Groza watch lists.

Special teams; Vandals Vitals:

Besides Rehkow, the Vandals were not good on special teams last season, ranking 127th in the country on punt returns (1.67 yards per return) and 118th on kickoff returns (17.76 yards). Opponents averaged over 8-yards per punt return and 23.12 yards running back kickoffs. The last time the Vandals scored any form of return touchdown was in 2012.

Long snapper Brett Ballard is a redshirt senior with three seasons of experience snapping.