Penn State ST coordinator Stacy Collins balances return pros, cons

Penn State special teams coach Stacy Collins understands the value of a dynamic return man.

While Collins was an assistant at Utah State, Savon Scarver served in the role with great impact as a kick returner. First notching All-American status in 2018, leading the country in kickoff returns (33.7) with two going for touchdowns, Scarver followed it with another 27.9 yards per return average and another two touchdown returns as a junior. 

The efforts were, of course, with the new rule in college football sending a fair catch to an automatic spot at the 25-yard line.

“If you have a guy like that, you want to be more aggressive,” Collins said. “This guy can change the game.”

Whether Penn State has the same type of talent within the walls of the Lasch Building this spring remains to be seen. 

But as Collins detailed, much of his philosophy regarding kick returns is dictated by that game-changing element. 

In a format that points clearly to the benefit of consistent possession starts at the 25, something Penn State did all but 19 times during the 2021 season, Collins said the balance is constantly being weighed. Working within the frame of the game, the head coach, and the performance of the offense and defense, he said, individual circumstances lead to varying outcomes. 

Finding a balance in the return game

“Each decision is different. You got to take a look at who you’re playing. How well do they truly cover kicks? Is there something you can take advantage of schematically? Is there a good kicker putting the ball in an area that you probably can’t take advantage of?” Collins said. “So I do think there’s a lot of factors in it. What you’re saying from start is not wrong, though. When you do look at the analytics there’s a lot that says hey, put the ball at the 25. 

“But I’ll tell you what. When you got a guy that’s dynamic back there, and he can break it open, and you can win that field position game, you certainly got to look at it. What are our strengths? What are our weaknesses? How does this fit in this all coming together to win the football game?”

Under James Franklin, Penn State has frequently featured its third running back as a kick returner. Last season, that took shape in the form of Devyn Ford, who finished atop the kickoff return chart.

His 12 returns for 258 yards were a team-high, including a team-high 36-yard return. Back this season as a fourth-year, Ford also shares kickoff return experience with Caziah Holmes, who had one return for 23 yards, and Keyvone Lee, who fielded one return. 

In punt return, meanwhile, Jahan Dotson’s exit to the NFL leaves only three combined attempts among the current roster. Parker Washington finished with two for 23 yards while Marquis Wilson fielded one. 

According to Collins, there are different skill sets required between the two roles. While a punt returner must make prudent split-second decisions, he said, a kick returner has to trust his blocks and hit the window vertically. 

Penn State’s return approach

Where that leaves the Nittany Lions as their spring practices come to a close is in flux.

Wanting to identify and develop the best options for the job, Collins said simply that he’s been pleased with the direction in which they’re heading.

“We’ve worked through a lot of guys because there’s been some change there,” he said. “So, it’s been good. We’ve done a decent amount of punt return work and a decent amount of kick return work. As we work through the fundamentals and technique and slowly put the scheme in, I like where we’re at. That’s something we’re gonna need to continue to grow. 

“And to give you a real straight answer where we’re at, I don’t know right now. I think we’re trending in the right direction. We’re working with a lot of guys. We’ll find out as we go through them this spring and head into fall camp, where we’re really at, at that position.”