Third Phase, Big Impact: Special Teams Remain a Priority for the Rockets

TOLEDO, Ohio – Big plays often grab headlines, but some of the most important moments in a football game happen between offensive and defensive possessions.

A punt that flips field position. A return that sparks a stagnant offense. A field goal that provides the difference in a close game.

Those moments are why special teams continue to play such a significant role for the Toledo football program. As the Rockets navigate their first season under head coach Mike Jacobs, the emphasis placed on the game's third phase has remained as strong as ever.

"Special teams are truly the third phase of the game," Jacobs said. "We dedicate as much time as anyone in the country on special teams and are committed to starters having a role on them. I am looking forward to the impact Coach Ulrich will have on this unit."

A program-wide commitment

Special teams coordinator Matt Ulrich said spring practice focused on building a foundation. With a new coaching staff, new terminology and new schemes, players spent much of the offseason learning fundamentals while adjusting to new expectations.

"There was a lot of learning," Ulrich said. "We try to keep things simple for our guys, but try to be multiple to opponents."

Despite the transition, Ulrich was encouraged by the enthusiasm players brought to special teams work throughout the spring. The buy-in was important because special teams success often depends on contributions from every corner of the roster, not just specialists.

"You can see on game day what type of emphasis is put into special teams," Ulrich said. "The more emphasis you put on it, the more buy-in you're going to get from the players."

That commitment was evident throughout spring practices, according to veteran punter Emilio Duran.

Entering his fourth season with the Rockets, Duran experienced uncertainty when the coaching transition occurred. Instead, he found a staff that immediately embraced the importance of special teams and sought input from returning players.

"They've really made us feel wanted," said Duran, who had 11 punts of 50-plus yards last season and 23 punts downed inside the 20. "Even from the first meeting, they were like, 'Hey, we put an extreme emphasis on special teams.' What we saw in the spring was everyone was taking special teams reps."

That commitment matters because special teams can influence the outcome of games as much as offense or defense. Field position, hidden yardage and momentum often hinge on a handful of snaps.

Flipping the Field

While Duran handles field position from the punting side, Toledo possesses another weapon capable of changing games in the return game.

Punt returner Bryson Hammer emerged as one of the Mid-American Conference's most dangerous return threats after arriving in Toledo as a walk-on. His ability to secure the football, make good decisions and generate positive yardage gives the Rockets an opportunity to begin possessions in favorable situations.

In two seasons, Hammer is already a two-time All-MAC specialist. Last season, he led the conference with 362 punt return yards and ranked 15th nationally with 12.1 yards per return.

"I always knew that I had the capability of doing that," Hammer said. "It was a matter of getting a chance and going out there and performing."

Ulrich views Hammer's value as extending far beyond highlight-reel returns. While explosive plays are always welcome, consistently holding on to the football and creating positive field position can be equally important.

"The first thing that you look for is a guy that can make good decisions back there, a guy that can communicate to everybody else, and a guy that's going to secure the football," Ulrich said. "After that, if you can put a dynamic athlete back there that's also got the ability to change the field position, then you're really hitting a home run."

Hammer understands the impact even a modest return can have energizing the sideline, igniting the crowd and providing an offense with an immediate advantage.

"It's just a spark to the game," he said.

Consistency in the Kicking Game

The Rockets enter the season with an experienced and reliable kicker. Graduate transfer Reice Griffith followed Jacobs and Ulrich from Mercer after becoming the Bears' all-time leading scorer (265 points). Griffith has converted 145 consecutive extra points during his career and carries a reputation as one of the most dependable specialists in the FCS.

Joining the Rockets represented an opportunity to continue working with coaches who played a significant role in his development while becoming part of a program with strong community support.

"When I first got to Toledo on my visit, what really stood out to me was the community here," Griffith said. "Everybody from the city of Toledo supports Toledo football."

Griffith's consistency has been one of the hallmarks of his career. While his streak of consecutive extra points continues to grow, he approaches every kick with the same mindset, regardless of distance or situation.

"I just try to keep every kick the same," said Griffith, who made 40 of 52 field goal attempts at Mercer, with a career long of 51 yards. "Whether it's a 50-yard field goal or it's an extra point, just go out there and hit it."

Having a proven kicker provides stability in situations where games are often decided by a handful of points.

"A lot of people take that for granted and don't really think about it until it becomes an issue," Ulrich said. "That's a huge weapon that you can just rely on him to go out and do his job every time."

As fall camp approaches, the Rockets continue refining a unit that impacts nearly every game. Whether it's a booming punt from Duran, a momentum-changing return from Hammer, or a clutch kick from Griffith, Toledo's special teams unit has the potential to influence outcomes in a variety of ways.

And while those plays may not always receive the same attention as touchdowns or turnovers, the Rockets understand their importance.

For Toledo, special teams isn't simply a transition between offense and defense. It's another opportunity to win.

Players Mentioned

Emilio Duran

Reice Griffith

Bryson Hammer