BEAUMONT, Texas – Very similar to offensive linemen, special teams seldom receive the respect they deserves. A good majority of the time they get noticed only when they are not special – missed field goals, surrendering long kick/punt returns, fumbled returns, short punts.
 
Over the course of the past couple seasons, Lamar University football fans have been witness to some spectacular plays from the specialists – booming punts, kicks/punts returned for touchdowns and last second gamewinning field goals against rivals.
 
Those are memorable high points that dot LU's strong history on the gridiron, but they are now part of its past. For the Cardinals to once again be in the thick of the Southland Conference chase this year they must be solid in all areas of special teams.
 
Much of the interest surrounding the Cards' special teamers surrounds the return of kicker Alex Ball. Considered one of the top young kickers in the country after a strong freshman season, Ball's sophomore season came to an end before it ever really got started. Known for having a booming leg, Ball was slowed last year with an injury. With the injury behind him, Ball appears to be 100 percent as the 2015 season opener approaches.
 
"It's nice to see Alex striking the ball the way I heard so much about when I first got here," said special teams' coordinator Brian Morgan. "We get better automatically just by him kicking off because of his leg strength."
 
Ball took over the kicking responsibilities midway through his rookie season converting all 20 extra point attempts, and was a perfect 7-of-7 on field goals. Ball also played the role of hero against Stephen F. Austin as he booted a 41-yarder field goal as time was winding down to hand the Cardinals their first win over their rivals from the north since bringing the sport back campus.
 
The Cardinals don't have to rely only on Ball for their kicking success in 2015. Junior Juan Carranco returns from a 2014 season that saw him hold down the punting responsibilities while taking over the kicking duties midway through the season. Carranco averaged nearly 40 yards per punt, while converting 6-of-8 (.750) field goal attempts. He also displayed a big leg throughout the season, as well as a flair for the dramatic. He posted eight punts of 50 yards or more, and nailed a season-long 43-yard field goal in the victory over Houston Baptist. His most shining moment came with seconds remaining at No. 17 McNeese State, Carranco was called upon to play the role of hero. He drilled a 23-yard field goal to hand LU its first win over the Cowboys, and a nationally ranked team since the program's rebirth.
 
"Juan is a really good punter," said Morgan. "He proved last year that he was solid a kicker too. Another great thing about Juan is that he doesn't get nervous. It doesn't matter what the situation is, he isn't going to let that bother him."
 
With a wealth of speed on the football field LU has numerous athletes to choose from to return punts and kicks. Add to that the return of seniors Devonn Brown (kick returns) and Jayce Nelson (punt returns) and LU head coach Ray Woodard should feel confident with his return specialists.
 
"We feel like we have three or four guys at each of the return spots who can get the job done," said Morgan. "If we were facing Bacone tomorrow I feel like Jayce (Nelson) would be our punt return guy. There are some young guys who really want that job but we just need to find some consistency.
 
"When you look at kick return, we have several guys that we are considering with exceptional speed. Guys like Seth Ellis, Rodney Randle, Keegan Mitchell provide us with options, and we return Devonn (Brown) from a strong season last year," added Morgan.
 
Nelson took over the punt return role late in the season and did a solid job. The Cardinals finished the year fifth in the league averaging nearly 11 yards per punt return. Brown was one of the top kick returners in the conference averaging better than 17 yards per kick on 26 returns.
 
If it is a true statement that special teams seldom get the respect they deserve, then deep snappers would be the at the top of the "lack of respect" list, but the Cardinals have had good luck when it comes to deep snappers. For the first four years of the program Chris Maikranz held down the job and ended his career by earning All-America honors.
 
Last season, LU turned those responsibilities over to junior college transfer Brent Nicholson who was one of the more consistent deep snappers in the league.
 
"Brent did a good for us last year," said Morgan. "I expect the very same thing from him again this season. In addition to Zach Roberts who redshirted last year, we also have DeAndre Jennings and Tate Smith who can also snap for us. We believe we have three or four guys who can be a snapper at the NCAA Division I level."
 
Fans will have their opportunity to see the LU specialists in the Cardinals' season opener against Bacone College Saturday, Sept. 5. The game against the Warriors will kick off at 7 p.m. from Provost Umphrey Stadium. Tickets can be purchased by calling the LU Ticket Office at (409) 880-1715, or by clicking here.
 
-LU CARDINALS-