Topic: Kickoffs? Punts? Marshall has ’em covered

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Long snapper Matt Cincotta has seen the improvement in his four years. In 2012, as the Herd’s pool of special-teams players was severely drained by injuries, opponents averaged 25.8 yards on kickoff returns and 9.8 on punt returns. Three kickoffs and one punt went back for touchdowns, and the Herd hasn’t given up a score since.

“We learned a lot from my first year,” Cincotta said. “I think a lot of times we overpursued; we didn’t keep everybody inside and in front of us. Our coaches have done a great job with our ‘missiles.’ ”

The top tackler on returns, as listed on play-by-play sheets, is the injured Cody Carter with eight. Next is Antavis Rowe with seven, followed by Kaleb Harris with five and Chase Hancock and Cincotta with four each. Seventeen different players have been credited with a least a half-tackle.

Carter and Rowe are two of several “missiles” on the punt unit, faster players who dash from the ends to reach the returner first. But Harris, a freshman tight end, patrols an interior lane.

“There’s a lot more discipline than what it looks like,” Harris said. “There are a lot of lane responsibilities, whether it be punt or kickoff coverage. You have a lane and a responsibility you have to hold. If you get thrown off your lane, that’s that little crease that returner needs.”

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