Lee, Abdul lead special teams

There’s something extra-special about this year’s special teams unit.

Returning five… There’s something extra-special about this year’s special teams unit.

Returning five specialists, including both punter and kicker, the Panthers special teams combine to bring experience and skill to the table.

As a unit, they are capable of dominating the Big East, with the speed to return kicks, the power to kick field goals of 50-plus yards and the talent to pin their opponents inside the 20-yard line on punting situations.

Receiving rankings as high as No. 2 in the nation – by The Sporting News – the Pitt special teams are on everyone’s watch list, both in and out of its conference.

Pitt will fare as well as any team in the nation in punting, because senior punter Andy Lee returns for his final season.

Lee, a preseason All-American, put together a remarkable season last year, averaging 43.1 yards per punt and earning recognition as Big East Special Teams Co-Player of the Year. His work ethic pushed him to work on particular areas of his game during the summer and he hopes to bring back an even stronger leg.

With a goal of leading the nation in net punting for his senior season, Lee not only worked on his power, but his directional punting as well.

“[Punting] is a big part of the game,” Lee said. “If you put one inside the 20, it really helps the defense out. I worked on directional punting so we can have less return.”

In addition to their punting, the kicking division of the Panthers special teams will most likely produce another dominant year. Coming back after a remarkable freshman season, place-kicker David Abdul is back and expected to be a valuable asset.

Abdul was the second-leading scorer for the Panthers last season, with 67 points, receiving national recognition in his first season. A threat to his opponents from nearly anywhere inside the 30-yard line, Abdul has the capability of being the deciding factor in the final minutes of a close Big East matchup.

“It is a huge benefit to our team to have this kind of experience in our kicking game,” special teams coach Bryan Deal said. “We loved the way David finished his freshman year and it will be exciting to see him elevate his game to yet another level this season.”

The Panthers show depth in returning punts and kickoffs, as well. Experienced seniors Yogi Roth and William Ferguson, as well as junior Marcus Furman, are competing for starting punt-returning responsibilities. Furman and senior Shawntae Spencer will most likely sit deep to return the kickoffs.

Experience is key in returning punts and kicks, and that’s exactly what the Panthers will have this season.

The Panthers have one of the top groups of specialists in the nation, one that could win football games for the team this season and take them into the postseason.