2014 Boston College Football Special Teams: Stats and Grades

Boston College Eagles. KICKOFFS . A-. By the numbers, Boston College actually had one of the best kick return games in the ACC this season, and was one of only three teams to take a kickoff to the house. <p>No team in the Atlantic Coast Conference averaged more yardage than the Eagles on kickoffs, probably due to the fact that Myles Willis ran one back in the opening play of the Syracuse game. Nationally, the Eagles had the fourth-most productive kickoff return game (as the receiving team). Sadly, the team that came in first place in that stat no longer has a football team, but at least UAB went out on top in something.</p> <p>Yet, what about Boston College as the kicking team? Again, Boston College’s kick coverage was very good, ranking 18th nationally in that they allowed just 18.34 yards per return. Alex Howell, who handled all the kickoffs, sent just two out of bounds and got 18 touchbacks. Nobody scored a return touchdown on the Eagles this season.</p> <p>Kickoffs, on both sides of the football, were an area in which special teams shined.</p>. K/KR/ST

B. The punt return game was less impressive, but still not bad. <p>The main issue is that Boston College, as has been an issue for years, is that Eagles punt returners are better at waving their hand in the air than breaking off a big run. Boston College had 31 fair catches on punts this season; Howell’s kicking elicited 16 from the opposition.</p> <p>Sherm Alston returned all but one of the Eagles’ punts, averaging just 8.3 yards per return with a long of 36.</p>. PR/ST. Boston College Eagles. PUNT RETURNS