Fair Catch University is no more

Last year was salve to the soul....

2014 Georgia Bulldogs Punt Returns through 01/12/2015

• 2014
 
• 2013
 
• 2012
 
• 2011
 
• 2010
 
• 2009
 
• 2008

	Name	Yr	Pos	G	Ret.	Yards	Avg.	TD	Ret./G	Yards/G
1	Isaiah McKenzie	FR	WR	12	19	230	12.11	2	1.6	19.2
2	Reggie Davis	SO	WR	13	12	95	7.92	0	0.9	7.3
	Total			13	31	325	10.48	2	2.4	25.0
	Opponents			13	10	47	4.70	0	0.8	3.6

But then you look at 2013 and 2012, and only one thing really stands out...

2013 Georgia Bulldogs Punt Returns through 01/06/2014

• 2014
 
• 2013
 
• 2012
 
• 2011
 
• 2010
 
• 2009
 
• 2008

	Name	Yr	Pos	G	Ret.	Yards	Avg.	TD	Ret./G	Yards/G
1	Reggie Davis	FR	WR	11	14	46	3.29	0	1.3	4.2
2	Damian Swann	JR	DB	13	9	28	3.11	0	0.7	2.2
3	Sheldon Dawson	SO	DB	12	1	0	0.00	0	0.1	0.0
4	Shaq Wiggins	FR	DB	12	1	-1	-1.00	0	0.1	-0.1
	Total			13	25	73	2.92	0	1.9	5.6
	Opponents			13	10	43	4.30	2	0.8	3.3

2012 Georgia Bulldogs Punt Returns through 01/07/2013

• 2014
 
• 2013
 
• 2012
 
• 2011
 
• 2010
 
• 2009
 
• 2008

	Name	Yr	Pos	G	Ret.	Yards	Avg.	TD	Ret./G	Yards/G
1	Rhett McGowan	JR	WR	14	9	75	8.33	0	0.6	5.4
2	Malcolm Mitchell	SO	DB	13	11	57	5.18	0	0.8	4.4
3	Damian Swann	SO	DB	14	5	37	7.40	0	0.4	2.6
4	Shawn Williams	SR	DB	14	1	25	25.00	0	0.1	1.8
5	Chris Conley	SO	WR	14	1	9	9.00	0	0.1	0.6
	Total			14	27	203	7.52	0	1.9	14.5
	Opponents			14	14	156	11.14	1	1.0	11.1

Isaiah McKenzie's talent changed what our punt return approach is. The number of returns don't stand out so much, because that is pretty consistent much more consistent than I would have dreamed, but the yards gained per return increase is stunning.

And that really stands out when you look at Reggie Davis' return yards in 2014 vs. 2013. I can't say with certainty, but you have to think we worked more on punt return in practice than in years past, knowing McKenzie is a threat to break one. That contributes to Davis getting a couple of more steps when he does get the chance to return a punt.

TD

*all stats are courtesey of CFBStats

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