You know these hits. You've seen these hits. You've felt these hits through your TV. And every time, you cringe.
A kick returner has the ball, looking for a lane to exploit in the kickoff coverage. He has to make a quick decision on where to run because he knows the coverage team is flying down the field like kamikazes, just waiting to deliver a vicious tackle. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, one of these kamikazes gets through and BOOM! As ESPN football analyst Tom Jackson would say, "He got JACKED UP!"
Those hits are momentum-changing plays and mean glory for the coverage team. This is the only thing the football fan wants to see out of their kickoff coverage teams. This is what the Virginia football team tries to deliver every week.
Kickoff coverage is a mix between discipline and flat-out desire. A good coverage man has to be willing to sacrifice his body and fly as fast and as hard down field as he can. But he also needs to be sure to fill his lane and not leave any seams in the coverage unit. Starting safety and key coverage man Marquis Weeks knows the art of good coverage.
"I just want to be the one to make the tackle," Weeks said. "Most of the time I'm not blocked and then when I am getting blocked, I just sell-out, just give my body up for the team and still try to make a play."
Weeks, a senior who has played virtually all types of special teams positions since 2001, currently leads the Cavaliers in tackles on kickoff coverage. Fellow senior Jon Thompson also has been a big name in contributing to the unit's success. Thompson has three year's worth of experience on the kickoff coverage team and knows the nuances of the mindset that is critical to being successful in that role.
"It's amazing how one of the things we have to do is being able to go crazy and go as hard as you can [down the field] but then be in control to make the play," Thompson said.
Thompson has three tackles on the year in coverage, and made a particularly memorable stop in Saturday's win against Syracuse. On the kickoff following the Cavaliers' first touchdown and first lead of the game, Thompson was able to run down Syracuse's returner, Diamond Ferri, from behind at the Orange 15-yard line. Thompson disrupted the play, as it was supposed to be a return to the left side of the field, but he was able to cut Ferri down before the ball-carrier made it across the field.
"They were trying to bring the ball all the way across the field," Thompson said. "I had a good angle. The guy who was trying to block me was sitting in too far. I had the right angle and was able to make the play."
Of course, good kickoff coverage is not just about flying down the field and making a play. Special teams coach Mark D'Onofrio makes a special point to prepare the coverage team every week through film study.
"We watch a lot of film," Weeks said. "Coach D'Onfrio is a great coach. He just gets us real prepared, so we kind of know what to look for when we're running down."
Also not to be overlooked is the play of junior kicker Kurt Smith. Smith has handled the kickoff duties for the past two years. So far this year, 14 of his 32 kickoffs have resulted in touchbacks and the coverage unit has pinned the opposition back for an average starting position at their own 22-yard line.
Being able to force the opposing offense to start their drives deep in their own territory is the goal for the Cavaliers kickoff coverage every time they line up.
They also wouldn't mind the chance to deliver one of those hits.
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