CPD
Kickoff rule change exacts changes to coverage team
Friday, August 24, 2007Doug Lesmerises
Plain Dealer Reporter
Columbus -- Freshman cornerback Eugene Clifford, in nearly a full sprint, smacked the kick returner and dropped him in his tracks. That hit during Thursday night's open practice at Ohio Stadium is what coach Paul Haynes, in charge of the Buckeyes' kick coverage, is looking for.
The college football rule change moving kickoffs back from the 35-yard line to the 30 this season has Purdue coach Joe Tiller worried that injuries will increase, though Ohio State's Jim Tressel doesn't believe that will happen.
OSU coach Darrell Hazell, head of the Buckeyes' kick returns, called the move "the most major rule change that has occurred in a long time" and salivates that those touchbacks from a year ago will this season become big-play opportunities in the hands of his returners.
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