DURHAM - Duke coach David Cutcliffe said earlier this week that his team's performance in the kicking game may factor significantly in Saturday's game against N.C. State.
"That may be the key element," he said. "North Carolina State is such as great return team - both kickoff and punt return - we're going to have to be at our very best in the kicking game."
Cutcliffe noted improvements all around for Duke's kicking performance against Virginia Tech last week, with the Blue Devils averaging better time in the air on kicks and protecting better on coverage.
"We're grading much higher," said Cutcliffe, whose staff grades each player on special teams.
The Devils (2-3 overall, 0-1 ACC) own the second best kickoff coverage in the ACC and are ranked sixth in the nation in kickoff return yardage defense, yielding just 16.64 yards per return.
Special teams players received time to get down the field from kicker Will Snyderwine.
The junior walk-on is averaging 59.6 yards per kickoff with one touchback this season. Also, the Devils have forced opponents inside the 20-yard line five times on 19 kickoffs.
For most of the season, Snyderwine has shared kicking duties with junior Nick Maggio, a starter last season who came into training camp injured.
Last week, Cutcliffe assigned Snyderwine to kickoffs, field goals and point after attempts.
"I felt like it was time for the same guy to do both and help him develop a rhythm," Cutcliffe said.
He added that he has faith in Snyderwine's leg. He said the kicker can make field goals from 60 yards out.
"If we need a field goal from big-time distance, he's certainly capable," Cutcliffe said.
Listen below to Snyderwine talk about his improvement this summer.
Edward joined the News & Observer staff in 2004. He is a graduate of American University and Johns Hopkins University. He covers Wake Forest football and women's college basketball for the N&O. Edward is a native of Washington, D.C. He can be reached at 829-4781 or 
Comments
Field Position
Sat, 10/10/2009 - 00:11 — mad_maxState's ability to return kicks well may not be such a big factor in this game, though I do remember the kick returned for TD against the Blue Devils last year and that was a HUGE play. What concerns me, is State's inability to cover well on kicks and stop Duke from getting nice returns. At some point, the Pack is gonna have to start winning the battle of field position if they want to start winning some more games.