Jenkins ULL’s spy for blocking kicks

• By BOB ARDOIN
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Nov 20, 2008 - UPDATED: 7:22 a.m.

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LAFAYETTE — UL-Lafayette special teams coordinator Brian Jenkins has become a special teams detective, always searching for a fatal flaw in an opponent’s kicking game.

That means looking for ways to block extra points and field goals, which according to Jenkins’ standards, has been overdue for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette this season.

All that changed when the Cajuns blocked the first two extra-point attempts by Florida Atlantic in a 40-29 loss.

Those blocks by Garren Blount and Nate Douglas were the 34th since head coach Rickey Bustle became ULL’s head coach in 2002.

The Cajuns, however, had not blocked a kick since Nov. 24 of last year when Blount blocked a UL-Monoe field-goal attempt.

In the last seven seasons, ULL is tied with Boise State for the most blocked kicks behind leaders Fresno State (42) and Texas (41).

“I think the fact that we hadn’t blocked one yet (this season) goes to show the time other teams are putting into special teams. It’s up to us to figure out a way to keep pushing through to block a few more,” Jenkins said.

Blount said the Cajuns’ kick blocking teams did their usual pre-game preparation, looking for ways to exploit FAU.

“We saw they were kind of weak at the tight end and at the wing. We saw we could put a lot of pressure there, and run straight through,” said Blount.

“There was a little gap in the way they lined up, so the game plan was to go in and make something happen,” said Douglas, who also plays defensive end.

Blount, a free safety, said players designated as kick blockers are as important as any other position.

“It’s become a pride thing with us,” Blount said. “Most teams take some plays off, but the players on the kick teams we feel can win games. (FAU) got a couple of quick scores on us, so we felt we had to get it in other ways to close the mountain of points.”

Douglas said ULL’s blockers were a bit apprehensive about not getting their hands on any kicks this year.