Last November in my post-game grade report following the Virginia Tech loss I wrote, “Throughout the season I have focused on different aspects of special teams in the “Needs Work” segment. Saturday the season-long inconsistency and, candidly, poor play was on display across all five phases of special teams. In fairness, all three operations delivered sub-par performances against the Hokies, but special teams consistently has underperformed all year.”

As Cavalier fans are well aware, Virginia’s inconsistent special teams were a major factor in UVa’s season-ending Chick-fil-a Bowl loss at the hands of the Auburn Tigers – a fact not lost on head coach Mike London as he addressed the media prior to spring camp.

“One of the glaring [areas that need attention] is obviously the kicking game,” London told the press corps. “We’ve lost all three of the guys that have been here and made some significant kicks and wins in this program and now we’re having to find replacements in that area. We learned [during the bowl game] that punting can be a very critical element of your success on special teams. Obviously [special teams] is a scenario we have to look at.”

Virginia ranked in the NCAA’s bottom quintile in 2011 in net punting (92), punt returns (93), landed below average in touchbacks (76), punt coverage (67) and kickoff coverage (63), while finishing slightly above average in field goal percentage (59). In our season grades, only the punting and place-kicking operations exceeded average levels (75% plus) and unlike last year, no unit recorded a championship level grade (90% plus) for the season.

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