clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Player to Watch: Colin Downing

A punter, you say?

NCAA Football: Iowa State at Kansas Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Last week, we kept an eye on JaQuan Bailey. Bailey was relatively quiet with only one tackle on the day, but he was able to apply fairly consistent pressure on Charlie Brewer. This week, we’re taking on one of the best special teams units in the country.

Colin Downing

The senior from Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin has been one of the best punters in school history over the course of his career, but has been a bit inconsistent in the second half of the season.

Since 1999, Kansas State has scored more non-offensive touchdowns than any other school in the country, with a good chunk of those coming on special teams. Kansas State’s offense has struggled so far this year, so flipping the field and forcing the Wildcats to make long drives will surely go a long ways toward ensuring a Cyclone victory.

Conversely, this easiest way for struggling teams to stay competitive in games where the offense or defense is struggling is to score on special teams. Preventing dangerous return man DJ Reed from making big returns will make the day much easier for the Cyclones.