How Nebraska instructs its punt returners, and why Taylor-Britt will remain in that role after mistake | Football

The first time Illinois’ Blake Hayes punted the ball on Saturday, he hit a booming ball toward the sideline.

Nebraska junior wide receiver Oliver Martin looked up at it, feet at his own 8-yard line, turned to his left and drifted straight toward the boundary without fading back toward the goal line. He watched it sail over his head, hit at the 3 and roll out of bounds between the 1 and the goal line.

Martin did what he was taught, but Hayes’ terrific kick and bounce pinned the Huskers against their own end zone.

The next time Hayes punted it, junior defensive back Cam Taylor-Britt started out around the 15, but faded all the way back to the 2 and fielded it, slipped and had his knee go down with the ball in the end zone. Safety. 2-0 Illinois.

Clearly, it was a big mistake. Just as clear: It alone did not cost Nebraska the game in a 30-22 loss. On Tuesday, tight ends coach Sean Beckton, who also coaches Nebraska’s punt and kick return men, detailed how the players are coached and why he believes in Taylor-Britt going forward.

“We work that almost every single day when we have the punt returners,” Beckton said. “Obviously, Cam made a bad decision there. He’s got a window of 8-yard line to play with, and he’s not supposed to go beyond the 8-yard line. The fringe area is the 5. We harp on that with him. We just did it again today with all the punt returners. Obviously, I’m disappointed. Cam is very disappointed in it. (Special teams coordinator Mike) Dawson is very disappointed in it.