Spectator Associate Sports Editor
While the searches for a quarterback and a consistent defense have been publicized as keys to Columbia football's success this season, the real determinant of how special the season will be might be its special teams.
Armed with much of the talent from last year's game-arresting special teams, the Lions feel that if all else fails, they know that they can at least dominate the game in one realm. So much confidence is held in the placekicking, kick-off, and punting games that coaches and players alike gushed almost uncontrollably about the prospects for the year.
"We return a lot of guys, so we might even be better than last year," Head Coach Ray Tellier said. "We definitely gain an edge on other teams."
Punter Ryan Kiernan shared Tellier's optimism.
"There is a certain feeling of excitement and a desire to get out on the field and win some football games that I don't remember this team feeling in years past," Kiernan said.
Come Saturday, it seems by all accounts that Columbia's special teams will need to do no talking, as their on-field play will send the message.
Leading the way is four-year starting punter and All-Ivy possibility Kiernan. Already looking more consistent than last year's second in the league net-yardage ranking, Lions punting remains a strength.
"We have a lot of confidence in our punting game," Tellier said. "A good punter gets [the ball] high up in the air and way down the field. Ryan has the ability and leg strength to do both those things."
While Kiernan has been stellar, his goal this preseason has been to improve his consistency, which he appears to be accomplishing.
Kiernan attributes much of the improvement to a new focus solely on punting, as he has foregone his possible quarterback duties this year.
"Focusing this year primarily on punting, and not having it as a secondary practice to throwing the ball, has done a lot to increase my consistency in punting as well as my leg strength," Kiernan said.
Not just about kicking the ball, the punting game remains a strength due to the multitude of returning blockers from last year, as well as to the steady, reliable play of long snapper junior starter Dave Mastroianni, "a very good specialist," according to Tellier.
Complimenting the punting game for control of the special teams play will be punt return men sophomore Philip Murray and upstart first-year Travis Chmelka. The Lions plan to use Murray when they need a sure catch and a safe return. Chmelka represents an edgier, flashier option, with quickness that has impressed the Lion coaching staff.
"Travis has outstanding speed and elusiveness," Tellier said. "He may even be faster than Justin Meadlin, and we like Travis' agility. He'll be in there if we need to break one."
As for the kickoff returns, '98 Ivy League Rookie of the Year Johnathan Reese and junior Justin Logan will be handling the duties, providing the Lions with some experience and familiarity with the task. Both give their team serious big-play potential.
Another huge part of successful special teams play is kick and punt coverage, as well as the punt and kick block teams.
If they continue to hold their opponents deep in their own territory, special teams will be an advantage.
Providing the Lions with some spark and momentum-swinging abilities is last year's Dartmouth game hero junior special-teamer Quentin Unsworth. He single-handedly secured the game for the Lions last year, blocking two Big Green punts.
According to Unsworth, Columbia oftentimes wins special teams battles due to many factors like play design and technique. Still, effort and grit win out in such battles.
"So much can be gained on a big specials play. No matter what, you just got to get the job done. And like the rest of football, energy plays a big part."
The one question mark for the Light Blue is an area in which it has been secure for the past couple years: the kicking game. With the graduation of the solid Neal Kravitz, Tellier's Lions will rely on sophomore Dany Berghoff for field goals and first-year Michael Waln's huge leg for kickoffs. The Lions were hurt by the leg injuries of junior Sam Warren, who hasn't kicked this season.
While Berghoff's foot is accurate, he doesn't have the distance to kick long field goals. This gives the Lions a quandary. The question of whether or not to go for a fourth-and-short will present itself on more than one occasion. Relying on shaky kicking could hurt them down the stretch.
"We're not able to go for any 50-yarders. If we have fourth-and-short, we'll evaluate the decision throughout the game. If we've missed three extra points in that game, we'll probably go for a lot more first downs, Tellier said.
But Tellier is quick to point out he does have confidence in his kickers' ability.
"We'll put them out there and see what happens. I think they can do the job within their range."
If problems and disappointment do present themselves, as they might during the long season, Berghoff said he feels ready to handle it and move on towards success.
"The ability to recover from a previously missed kick, whether it be in practice or a game, is the sign of a great placekicker," Berghoff said. "But my field goals and extra points have been very accurate."
As confident as Berghoff sounds, much of the Lions' special teams success still hinges on his foot. But if last season and this year's confidence are any indication, the Lions appear ready to thrive with their special teams players.