So often in post-game football analysis, discussions are based around the offense and defense. Special teams, as integral a part as they play, are only referenced if something went wrong. If everything happens as they should, analysts chalk it up to the players doing their jobs and move on.

For the first three games of the season, perhaps Grand Valley State University’s squad was not spoken about enough. Missed tackles, botched blocking assignments and erratic extra point attempts were more common than a fist-fight on the Jersey Shore.

Last week’s game against the University of Findlay, though, proved the Lakers are turning things around.

With under a minute to go in the first half, sophomore Israel Woolfork blocked a Findlay punt that sophomore Jarrod Cox took to the house for a touchdown. The play gave the Lakers a solid 28-0 lead.

“It’s a good feeling to make impacts on special teams,” Woolfork said. “I figured out that we had a chance to make a big play on offense if we got the ball back with 30 seconds. The whole game, I was getting in (close to the punter) and I had to take advantage of it.”

GVSU head coach Matt Mitchell said he was proud of how the unit was able to improve after a lackluster first few weeks.

“Israel took it right off his foot and Jarrod was able to take it back all the way,” Mitchell said. “They did what they were coached, and we were able to get seven points off special teams.”

Mitchell said improvements shown in practice have been critical in the unit’s turnaround.

“You can see some tangible things that we talk about in practice that are starting to have an effect,” he said. “I don’t think it’s happenstance that we’re getting positive play. You may get a ball bounce here and there, but the bulk of your plays still come down to players executing. I think we’re executing well.”

After hitting just 4-of-6 field goals and 8-of-11 extra points, sophomore kicker Jay Jandasek converted all five extra point attempts and nailed five punts inside the 20-yard line.

“Hitting the post is not fun,” he said. “There’s no excuse for missing extra points. I was very embarrassed. I’ve hit three posts already, which, I guarantee you, is leading the nation. It’s not something I really want to do. It’s not how I’ve been kicking in practice, but I made an adjustment.”

His performance against Findlay earned him the GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week award. After the game, he gave credit to the men around him, including senior long snapper Kurt Schnittger and sophomore gunner Chris Crawford.

“It’s good to get one under your belt where you have a good game,” Jandasek said. “The whole team did great. Kurt had good snaps, and Crawford found three of them inside the five. Kicking is only part of it — the other guys make great plays on the ball.”

Clear indicators that the coverage team is improving lay in its net yards per punt and kickoff, which against Findlay averaged of 1.5 and 16.7 yards in returns, respectively. But only time will tell if the performance against Findlay was a sign of things ahead or a fluke.

“We’ve been working on special teams every day after practice,” Woolfork said. “There have been a couple of instances this season where special teams were shown to be very important. The little things are what will help win or lose the game.”

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