Ready to scratch 7-year itch

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist

"We're due. I'm saying (a return for a touchdown) is gonna happen this year.
You can quote me on that."

— Rich Miano, UH assistant coach

When Matthew Harding returned the last of his two punts for touchdowns in 1994, it was but a footnote on the season.

Seven seasons and two head coaches later, it remains the last kickoff or punt returned for a touchdown by a Warrior. In the interim, opponents have returned 10 punts or kickoffs for scores against UH.

As the Warriors prepare to open another season, the one-sidedness of the kick and punt return scoring equation is one more reminder that special teams has the potential to be the wild card in this year's Warrior deck.

The offense is expected to be potent and the defense, as long as its depth isn't challenged, could hold up its end.

But in the hands of special teams lies the ability to tip the balance on this year's fortunes like few seasons before it. A strong special teams showing and the field position and points that would result from it could shift the Warriors into a season of bowl consideration. Meanwhile, a collapse could seriously undermine one.

All this while special teams looms as the greatest of the unknowns. For all the hope of improvement and soaring expectations, it is the only area that has undergone both a coaching switch and considerable personnel changes.

Gone are Dennis Mc-Knight, the fiery sideline show of the past two years as special teams coach, return specialists Jamal Garland and Flex Armstrong and placekicker Eric Hannum. Only Mat McBriar, the punter, and long snapper Brian Smith return.

In McKnight's place is special teams by committee, wherein responsibility for the several facets is spread among the coaching staff and a lot of new faces in the return game.

"With guys like Justin (Colbert), Omar (Bennett), Chad Owens and Nate (Ilaoa), there's optimism this year because the speed is there and the fundamentals are so good. We've got guys who can make you miss and then flat-out take off," Miano said.

"Sooner or later we're going to do some things right; we're going to get everybody blocked and these guys are going to whooooosh by people," Miano said. "It has been a long time since we've taken one to the house and I'm saying it is going to happen this year. You can trust me on that one."

To be sure, the Warriors are overdue for some happy returns.