Quinten Plummer
qlplummer@valodsta.edu

Talk to any member of the VSU blazer’s special teams unit and the general consensus is that team chemistry is a big part of the unit’s past success, and a good reason to expect continued success.

Chemistry will be a part of this year success with many veteran special teams players returning. With the return of All-American punt and kickoff returner Sherard Reynold, Sr. kicker Chad Gallahan, and Jr. punter Steven Wright, there will be plenty of experience to keep special teams “special.”

Though headed up by the new faces of Coach James Colzie (Kickoffs and Return units) and Coach Joe Cauthen (punting unit), the specials teams unit is still itself and fully equipped to continue past success. Colzie aims to build on that success by adding the experience he gained while on the coaching staff at Florida State.

“On punt returns and punt blocks we’re still going to go after every punt,” Colzie said. “We’re going to think block first. We’re going to try to block a lot of kicks and use that to set up our returns.”

The monikers given to the kickoff team, punt return team and kickoff return team—dubbed “Fast Break” “Quick Strike” and “Lightning” respectively—suggest one thing; Blazer special teams units are all about speed, and speed on special teams leads to a lot of blocked punts, big returns and offenses taking the field in the shade of their own goalpost.