Improved Punt Unit Takes on Added Significance This Week

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FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Every week, the process remains the same. However, some games feel different.

On the road, against the No. 5 team in the country fits the bill. As outstanding has Colorado State has been in punt coverage this year, the group feels it has to live up to its standard to help out by flipping the field and trying to create field-position issues for Iowa on Saturday.

"I think it's the challenge in general," said Ryan Stonehouse, the Rams' All-American punter. "It should be like that every week, but sometimes it's hard to find challenge when there is no challenge. Sometimes you have to create competition when it's one of those weeks where maybe there isn't as good of a returner, but this week, it's almost natural. There is a challenge and you have to live up to that to just be able to compete in this game."

Stonehouse feels he has to flip the field every week, regardless of opponent. What has grabbed his attention is Iowa receiver Charlie Jones, who is averaging 11.6 yards per return to rank 18^th in the country. Of his seven returns, his longest effort has been 24 yards.

It plays into a nice matchup, as the Rams rank third in the nation in net punting at 46.9, which stands in stark contrast to what the unit did the year before.

"I think the attention to detail has been a lot better, and I think guys are starting to take it more serious," longsnapper Ross Reiter said. "Not just take is serious, but we have a chip on our shoulder because of what we put on tape last season. We're all pretty confident in our abilities and we're competitive guys, so it's all about competing to be the best punt unit in the country. That's what we're working on weekly."

The unit has changed a bit in personnel, and even design. Reiter was used in protection in the past, but since the arrival of coach Steve Addazio, he's expected to cover, almost like a gunner. He's been good at it, too, helping to pin a punt inside the 5 the first week of the season. He's altered plays and has been credited with one solo stop.

Stonehouse counts on him for a good ball to work with, but he's been proud of Reiter and everybody else associated with the unit for sparking the turnaround. As for Reiter, he said it's been fun "trying to be an athlete just like the rest of them."

To Stonehouse, it's not just the first wave of players who have made a difference, but everybody involved with the unit. Like every other spot for the team, injuries have impacted the group.

"What I've liked best is we've had guys go down with injuries, but the next man just steps up," he said. "It's a credit to how we're running punt every day in meetings and practice. It's not just the 11 guys who started the season are going to end it, but it's all the second- and third-team guys who are going to possibly get on the field who have stepped up.

"I think Ross has done a fantastic job in coverage this year; that was a big challenge on him this spring. There are a lot of [people who were challenging him, coaches and players, who were challenging him. He's lived up to it, and he's going to continue that and I think he has a chip on his shoulder. Thomas Pannunzio has come out phenomenal in coverage. We don't use him a lot in our tight personnel, but when he's out there, he makes a difference, for sure. Tywan Francis and Jordan Kress, both of our other gunners, they're making a difference. It's fun to see that, guys really enjoying punt. They've just made a difference. They know it's a big facet of the game and we can flip the field with that."

Still, on these plays, all eyes initially focus on Stonehouse and what he will do with the ball, the elevation he can achieve and the distance for which it carries. Not just that, but the angle and where he puts it in accordance to the hashmarks and sidelines.

It's his part of the game, and there's never been anybody better. His career average of 47.2 is the best all-time in NCAA history, and his current season average of 51.9 ranks third in the country. Part of it is cutting loose earlier this year on an 81-yard punt, his best effort and one which ranks fourth in program history.

Reiter said it makes a huge difference because the ball is coming off Stonehouse's foot. There are perks they have other teams don't get with their punters, and because of that, he's a huge weapon for the Rams.

Stonehouse is always ready for launch, and most definitely up for a good challenge.

"Absolutely. This returner is pretty good, for sure. I have to give him a lot of respect, and he's going to be a challenge, but the ball's in my hands," he said. "I have control over the ball. I have control if it goes out of bounds, I have control where I put it. It's going to be a challenge, but I do have a lot of control over it."

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