Can Chuck Martin Win With the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks?

Special Teams

As if Chuck Martin’s first year with the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks couldn’t be more unwelcoming, the best player on the team last year was punter Zac Murphy. Murphy was third in the nation with 46.6 yards per punt, and 25 of his 79 punts were downed inside the 20. In a year when Martin is trying to build a team competent enough to get blown out every game, having Murphy back would have been enough to possibly steal a couple of wins. So losing him is like icing on the cake to inheriting the worst possible situation you could inherit as a new head coach.

At kicker, though, Kaleb Patterson is really good. Patterson was perfect on extra points last year and only missed one field goal inside

Oct 27, 2012; Oxford, OH, USA; Miami Redhawks kicker Kaleb Patterson (13) celebrates with linebacker Collin Boucher (44) after kicking the go-ahead field goal during the fourth quarter of the game against the Ohio Bobcats at Fred Yager Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Leifheit-USA TODAY Sports

40 yards, but it’s worth noting that he only kicked three field goals shorter than 40 yards and only kicked 12 extra points. Those numbers alone should give you an idea of how bad last year’s offense was. However, Patterson was 3 of 5 on field goals from 40 to 49 yards out, and he was 2 for 3 on field goals beyond 50 yards. That shows that he’s got a very strong leg, and as a junior he could become deadly if he develops more consistency. This will be a valuable weapon to have if the offense can improve just enough to have more drives on the other side of the 50.