Harding’s punts keep rolling, rolling, rolling

Respect comes in many forms, and University of Hawaii football player Scott Harding was shown a unique way when he was presented a walk-off punt two weeks ago.

Frustrated with Harding’s rugby-styled punts that shake, rattle and roll downfield, Wyoming ordered its return team to walk off the field while the football still was in the air. It was an innovative strategy in dealing with an innovative punter. It also was a wise move. 

In seven games this season, the Warriors’ punt-coverage team has forced three turnovers. In all, the Warriors have forced eight fumbles the past two seasons. 

Of pulling the return team, Harding said: "I think they do that so no one gets in the way, and it at least prevents a turnover."

Harding added: "That pretty much gives me the whole field to kick."

Harding, who can punt with either foot, buys time with rollouts. He often is able to place a line-drive punt to a vacant area, then rely on the end-over-end bounces to gain additional yards. This season, he is averaging 11.1 yards on bounces and rolls, according to data compiled by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. And his punts do roll … and roll … and roll …

Harding leads the nation with 22 punts inside the 20. He also has placed 10 punts inside the 10. Opponents are averaging 2.8 yards on 10 punt returns. 

While most teams employ one deep returner on punts, San Diego State used two and three this past week. With the three-across coverage, Harding sky-punted for the first time this season. SDSU’s Billy Vaughn muffed the punt, and UH’s Quinton Pedroza recovered. 

"There was no use trying to directional punt that one," Harding said. "They had the field covered with three returners. I thought I’d try something new."

On the next punt, the Aztecs did not use a deep returner. 

Harding played six years of professional Australian-rules football before joining the Warriors in 2011. He can kick deep, if needed. 

"I can kick it decently well," Harding said. "Not necessarily the spiral that other guys do. But I can get decent distance and height and enough time for our coverage team to get down."

Chris Demarest, who coordinates UH’s special teams, auditioned Harding when Alex Dunnachie, a senior punter in 2011, was suspended for the first three games that year. 

Demarest recalled asking Harding: "Can you go to your right? Can you go to your left?"

After Harding nodded his approval, Demarest said, "I went back to the office, got my pencil out, and started putting up formations and drawing up different things."

Demarest added: "I always thought fourth down was an extension of your offense. If you have to punt, you punt. But why sit in one formation the whole time and let somebody tee off and try to block it. Let’s be creative. Let’s force the other team to defend you. And that’s what we’ve done."

The rugby-styled punt might not transfer to the pros. In the NFL, only the gunners — the two perimeter punt-coverage defenders — are allowed to sprint downfield between the time of the snap and when the punter makes contact. 

"If you’re here (in college), and you have a chance to do it, why not take advantage of it?"