John Papuchis breaks down what went right, wrong in FSU football’s special team performance

Florida State’s special teams had a balanced outing in its 39-17 win over Virginia Tech on Saturday.

Kicker Ryan Fitzgerald hit his lone field goal attempt and punter Alex Mastramanno continued his hot start to the season.

Following the Seminoles’ first touchdown of the game, they successfully executed a two-point conversion, which has been run repeatedly at practices. It’s the first time this season that FSU has attempted a two-point conversion.

No. 4 FSU (5-0, 3-0 ACC) takes on Syracuse (4-2, 0-2) at noon Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium (Broadcast: ABC).

Capitalizing on the moment

Tight end Brian Courtney took the snap on and faked the handoff to tight end Kyle Morlock, eventually running into the end zone for the successful conversion.

The scoring drive was a part of the Seminoles’ dominant first quarter, where they outscored Virginia Tech, 22-0.

“It’s something we always have out the gate ready, and typically if we score first and it’s early in the game, it might be something that we show,” special teams coordinator John Papuchis said. Sometimes coach wants to run it, sometimes we shift back to our normal PAT.”

“In this case, just the look that was presented, it’s really the coach’s final decision. He makes the call on the field whether we’re going to run it or not run it.”

Immediacy and situational awareness are two things that FSU emphasized throughout the season at practice. Offensive coordinator Alex Atkins credits the creativity and execution of special teams to Papuchis and head coach Mike Norvell.

“He [Papuchis] does a wonderful job with special teams and coach Norvell also has his hand in it because he has to decide whether we’re going to do it or not,” Atkins said. “But all of those things, man they seem so unique. But like I said, we run them every day.”

Executing on kick returns

However, after that, FSU began to struggle, eventually seeing the Hokies claw back into the game. On the first play of the second half, Bhayshul Tuten took a 99-yard kickoff to the house, suddenly turning the Seminoles’ 22-point lead into just five.

“I would say this on the kick return, first of all, I would give credit to Virginia Tech for their execution, how they schemed it up,” Papuchis said. “I thought they did a good job and then they executed it well. But from our perspective you know a couple of things went into it that normally at any return like that normally do.”

Papuchis said that the special teams unit has been good on kick coverage, which can be credited to what the Seminoles have done week to week. However, one of the reasons why they gave up the touchdown was because FSU had a handful of players who didn’t make a play while in position.

“It starts with crediting them for doing a good job, but there are some things that we need to clean up on our end,” Papuchis said. “It starts with me and making sure that we put ourselves in the best positions possible to be successful.”

One of the best in the nation

One of FSU’s most consistent and successful performers on special teams has been punter Alex Mastromanno. He ranks fifth in the country, punting for 914 yards and averaging 48.1 a game on 19 punts. His stat line also leads the ACC.

He is on pace to break the school record, currently held by Shawn Powell of 47 yards in 2011.

“For us to be able to lead the ACC right now in net punting is really, really good for us, and for him to have the national accolades that he has,” Papuchis said. “I think obviously that speaks to how well he’s hitting the ball.”

“I think it just shows that he’s put a lot of hard work in. He’s grown and matured, and I think he’s just more comfortable with everything we’re asking him to do”

GAME INFORMATION

Who: No. 5 FSU (5-0, 3-0 ACC) vs. Syracuse (4-2, 0-2)

When/where: Saturday, noon; Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Fla.

TV/Radio: ABC/94.9 FM

Live game updates: www.Tallahassee.com; @Ehsan_Kassim, @jackgwilliams and @JimHenryTALLY on X, formerly Twitter

Jack Williams covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at jwilliams@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @jackgwilliams.