October 17, 2005
Norwood tries hand at punt returns
By Ian R. Rapoport
irapopor@clarionledger.com
File Photo/The Clarion-Ledger
All-SEC running back Jerious Norwood should get a few more chances at breaking a big play as the Bulldogs' primary punt returner.
Coming up
What: Houston (3-3) at Mississippi State (2-4)
When: Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
Where: Scott Field, Starkville
TV: None
Radio: MSU Network (WOAD-105.9 FM, WYAB-93.1 FM, Jackson)
STARKVILLE — The way coach Sylvester Croom thinks of it, Jerious Norwood gets four downs to impact a game, instead of just three.
A small difference, maybe. But it's one the Mississippi State coach thinks will go a long way in remedying any special teams problems the Bulldogs had in the 35-9 loss to Florida on Oct. 8.
Croom said last week that Norwood, the All-SEC running back, will likely be the punt returner. He supplants Jonathan Lowe, whose fumble at his own 13-yard-line led to a Gators touchdown.
According to Croom, it's just another way to get the ball in the hands of his team's star. He doesn't see Norwood having to rest or come off the field after each return.
"It's the same thing as if we ran a toss-sweep," said Croom, whose Bulldogs (2-4, 0-4 SEC) had a bye week and play Houston this Saturday. "Then you line up on first down and 'let's go.' That's the way I look at it. (Norwood) gets an extra down."
Prior to the Florida game, Norwood had never returned punts at State, though he'd done it at Brandon High. And he has caught punts in practice for four years.
Norwood, who lobbied for the opportunity, thinks the transition will be smooth. He was inserted to catch a punt against Florida and returned it 76 yards, though it was called back because of a penalty.
"Once I catch the ball, I know what to do," he said. "And I practice catching it all the time."
The change on special teams comes after the unit's poorest performance. There was Lowe's fumble. Twice, he decided not to field punts, and each time it pinned the Dogs at the 1-yard line. Both plays turned into MSU safeties. Punter Blake McAdams had a punt blocked for a touchdown.
After the game, Croom called it "sickening."
It was especially tough for the 5-foot-6, 180-pound Lowe.
Last season, he was one of Bulldogs' breakout stars. Lowe became the punt and kick returner over senior Fred Reid, then helped spark an upset win over the Gators with a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown.
Lowe, who was named to the freshmen All-SEC team, finished second in the SEC in punt returns with an average of 11.5 yards and was fifth with an 18.1 average on kickoff returns.
Not this season. On punt returns, he is averaging 5.3 yards, with seven returns in six games. The fumble in the Florida game was a low point.
"I should've just gotten away from the ball," said Lowe, also a backup running back. "That was a bad decision, a bad mistake. I was down on myself, but I know guys in the pros make mistakes like that. I'm just trying to keep my confidence up."
Lowe said that weekend tested his character and he wants to redeem himself. But he may only receive the chance if Norwood needs a breather. Lowe and freshman kick returner Derek Pegues will spell Norwood.
Norwood said the toughest part of his new duties will be judging when to call for a fair catch.
"You just have to get a feel for it," Norwood said. "If he (kicks) a long ball, you're all right. But you got to make the decision fast and try not to make a bad one."
While special teams amounted to a 21-point swing against Florida — if you count Keith Andrews missing a field goal — Croom said it's not emblematic of problems with the unit.
The numbers appear to validate his claim.
Last season, the Bulldogs had Lowe among the top returners and had a first-team All-SEC punter in Jared Cook. The only sore spot was they were ninth in kickoff coverage.
This season, the only major trouble spot was punt returner.
The Dogs are fifth in kickoff coverage and McAdams is second with a 42.6-yards-per-punt average. Other areas put MSU in the middle of the pack. Pegues is averaging 20.1 yards per kickoff return. Andrews has made 3 of 6 field goals but all 10 extra points.
"Special teams have been good all the time," Croom said. "We just had a calamity in one game. Like anything else, we just need to be poised in crucial situations."
Bout damn time ... Jonathon Lowe was making me sick
