Can the Mississippi State Bulldogs Reach 10 Wins in 2014?

Special Teams

The Bulldogs have a very shaky kicking game that’s back this year. Punter Baker Swedenburg split time with kicker Devon Bell on punts

Nov 9, 2013; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies safety Sam Moeller (12) blocks a punt by Mississippi State Bulldogs kicker Devon Bell (40) for a safety during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

last year, and now Swedenburg is gone. There was only a 1-yard difference between the two, though, as Bell averaged 41.3 yards per punt last year. Bell was also more accurate and should be great as the punter full-time. It’s worth noting that he nailed an amazing 14 of his 24 punts inside the 20 yard line.

At kicker, however, the story is entirely different. Bell handled those duties for most of the year as well, and he was awful, going only 6 of 14 and 2 of 9 on kicks beyond 30 yards. He will finally be replaced this year probably by sophomore by Evan Sobiesk, and although he was only 3 for 6 on kicks last year, Sobiesk was 2 of 4 from beyond 30. Perhaps with a full year of kicking and getting the growing pains out of his system as a freshman kicker last year, he’ll be much more consistent and reliable this year. But for now, this part of the football team is completely up in the air.