Scott Frost updates special teams progress following changes

Scott Frost knows special teams is one of many things that has to change at Nebraska. The Cornhuskers finished 13th in the Big Ten in field goal percentage (50%) this past season and 12th in yards per punt (41.2).

Frost made several changes this offseason heading into his fifth year as the Nebraska coach, including promoting Bill Busch from quality control coach to special teams coordinator. It marks the first time since 2016 that the Cornhuskers have had a full-time special teams coordinator, and Frost hopes that added attention will lead to better results.

“I feel great about kicker and punter right now, which puts a smile on my face to say,” the coach said Saturday after practice. “I think we’ve got several that can do it and have been doing really well in camp. Again, it’s different when the lights are on in the soccer stadium. But from what I’ve seen from them, we’re gonna be vastly improved. Having Bill Busch in that role full time where he can actually coach is making a difference, too. Just seeing everybody on the same page and getting work in those things. It’s no secret we needed to make a lot of improvement in the special teams area and hopefully we have.”

Nebraska added a pair of transfers at kicker and punter this offseason who figure to start in 2022. Brian Buschini arrives in Lincoln after taking home FCS Punter of the Year at Montana this past season. Of his 69 punts, 30 were downed inside the opponents’ 20-yard line and 28 covered at least 50 yards. The Huskers also brought in Timmy Bleekrode, who went 21-for-25 on his field goals at Furman this past season.

But Scott Frost also needs his special teams to make improvements in the return game. Nebraska ranked 124th in the FBS this past season in kick return yards and 99th in punt returns. Busch has emphasized physicality so far throughout fall camp, and the Cornhuskers believe they are much more prepared as the season inches closer.

Nebraska is coming off of a disappointing 3-9 finish this past season and has not enjoyed a winning record since 2016. However, with the changes made on special teams, there is hope that will change in 2022. The Cornhuskers are set to kick off the season in two weeks when they face Northwestern on Aug. 27 in Dublin, Ireland.