Teams News - 2017 Season Review - Special Teams

Kick and Punt Returns

Sophomore Jarey Elder assumed punt return duties for the Golden Rams. He averaged 8.3 yards on 18 returns which was good for fifth in the PSAC. Against Edinboro, Mike Class blocked a punt which Justice Smith returned 12 yards for a touchdown. Jarel Elder averaged 20 yards on 28 kickoff returns, with his long of 46 yards coming in the final two minutes of the Kutztown game with the score tied. Mark Dukes had nine returns for a 24.3 yard average and redshirt freshman Nafeese Nasir made seven returns for a 20.4 yard average.

Kick Scoring

The season started with George Lambritsios and Andrew Chegia splitting kick scoring duties. Chegia, playing his first organized football, popped a 26-yard field goal in the season opener against Bentley and a couple of PAT's at the end of the game against Edinboro. Meanwhile, Lambritsios was handling a majority of the PAT attempts. But after Lambritsios missed three healthy field goals - 38, 42 and 46 yards - over the span of four games, Chegia became the field goal kicker and finished the season 9 of 12 including converting all three attempts in a crucial game at Shippensburg. Chegia also took every PAT attempt from midway through the East Stroudsburg game to the end of the season. He finished the season 13 of 15 on PAT's for, when including his nine field goals, 40 points and second team All-PSAC East and first team All-ECAC honors. Lambritsios finished 36 of 41 on PAT's for 36 points.

Andrew Chegia received conference honors this season (Photo Ron Hockman)

George Lambritsios converted 36 PAT's this year (Photo Ron Hockman)

Reserve defensive lineman Shane Griffin handled all of the long snapping duties while Brendan Paulison was the primary holder.

Shane Griffin served as long snapper (Photo Ron Hockman)

Brendan Paulison served as the holder this season (Photo Ron Hockman)

Punts and Coverage

Brendan Paulison averaged 44.1 yards per punt (third in the country), booming 17 of his 61 punts for more than 50 yards while dropping 23 of them inside the opponent's 20-yard line. The Golden Rams were second in the nation in net punting, as Paulison limited opponents to only 25 returns for a 5.7 yard average. As a result, he was named first team All-PSAC East, first team CCA All-Super Region 1, first team All-ECAC, and second team CCA All-American.

Brendan Paulison is one of the top punters in the country (Photo Ron Hockman)

Kickoffs and Coverage

Kickoff coverage was an improved area for the Golden Rams this season as they finished fifth in the conference in net average. Paulison handled a majority of the kickoffs, and booted 15 of his 76 for touchbacks.

Paulison banged 15 touchbacks (Photo Ron Hockman)