The USC punt return unit won't be in its right mind this weekend.
It'll have to be in its left, actually.
With Stanford's left-footed punter David Green on tap for Saturday, the Trojan punt returners are preparing for the slight but potentially perilous change created by the rare characteristic for a punter. The ball's flight, rotation and fade are all opposite between a right- and left-footed punter, creating a one-of-a-kind challenge for USC this season.
While it's not a massive change -- special teams coordinator Brian Schneider compared it to the difference in receiving passes from a left- and right-handed quarterback -- it is enough to need the practice. Schneider said many NFL teams will sign a left-footed punter solely for the week leading up to a game against a southpaw punter, but USC has its own weapon already on the roster.
Walk-on Boomer Roepke, a former USC swimmer and current defensive back, was an All-State punter for two years at Reno (Nev.) High, and his left-footed kicking skills are coming in handy this week. He's been punting to Trojan returners during early-practice drills, and he'll be the scout-team punter during full-squad punt return reps today and Thursday.
"It's not huge, but it is different," Schneider said of the disparity. "It's good to get a look at it before the game."
It'll have to be in its left, actually.
With Stanford's left-footed punter David Green on tap for Saturday, the Trojan punt returners are preparing for the slight but potentially perilous change created by the rare characteristic for a punter. The ball's flight, rotation and fade are all opposite between a right- and left-footed punter, creating a one-of-a-kind challenge for USC this season.
While it's not a massive change -- special teams coordinator Brian Schneider compared it to the difference in receiving passes from a left- and right-handed quarterback -- it is enough to need the practice. Schneider said many NFL teams will sign a left-footed punter solely for the week leading up to a game against a southpaw punter, but USC has its own weapon already on the roster.
Walk-on Boomer Roepke, a former USC swimmer and current defensive back, was an All-State punter for two years at Reno (Nev.) High, and his left-footed kicking skills are coming in handy this week. He's been punting to Trojan returners during early-practice drills, and he'll be the scout-team punter during full-squad punt return reps today and Thursday.
"It's not huge, but it is different," Schneider said of the disparity. "It's good to get a look at it before the game."
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