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Gophers Led Nation in Punt Return Average
1/9/2019 10:50:00 AM | Football
Minnesota ended the season ranked No. 1 in punt return average and No. 2 in punt return defense
Minnesota ended the 2018 season ranked No. 1 in the nation in punt return average at 22.25 yards. In addition, the Gophers finished second nationally in punt return defense and eighth in net punting.
Demetrius Douglas returned seven punts for 113 yards, which included a game-changing 69-yard touchdown at Wisconsin. Antoine Winfield Jr., returned three punts for 110 yards and the first punt return of his career was a 76-yard touchdown against New Mexico State.
The Gophers allowed 1.11 yards per return on nine opponent punt returns this season to finish second in the nation in punt return defense. Minnesota allowed 13 punt return yards to New Mexico State in the first game of the season, but then held their opponents to negative-3 punt return yards for the final 12 games.
Minnesota also ended the year ranked No. 8 in the nation in net punting at 41.04 yards. The Gophers were one eight teams in the nation to not give the other team a touchback off a punt. Minnesota also blocked two punts this season, as Sam Renner and Justus Harris got their hands on opposing punts.
Jacob Herbers served as Minnesota's punter in 2018, after seeing action primarily as a holder in 2016 and 2017. He punted 51 times last season, which was the fewest for the Gophers in a season since they punted 38 times in 2005. Herbers averaged 41.24 yards per punt, which was the 13th best season in school history.
Minnesota long snapper Payton Jordahl consistently put the ball where Herbers needed it. The senior ended his career with 51 career starts and 507 career snaps. In addition to his 51 punt snaps in 2018, he snapped to a Minnesota punter 270 times. Jordahl also made 10 career tackles, which included two last season. He also recovered the first fumble of his career in 2018.
Demetrius Douglas returned seven punts for 113 yards, which included a game-changing 69-yard touchdown at Wisconsin. Antoine Winfield Jr., returned three punts for 110 yards and the first punt return of his career was a 76-yard touchdown against New Mexico State.
The Gophers allowed 1.11 yards per return on nine opponent punt returns this season to finish second in the nation in punt return defense. Minnesota allowed 13 punt return yards to New Mexico State in the first game of the season, but then held their opponents to negative-3 punt return yards for the final 12 games.
Minnesota also ended the year ranked No. 8 in the nation in net punting at 41.04 yards. The Gophers were one eight teams in the nation to not give the other team a touchback off a punt. Minnesota also blocked two punts this season, as Sam Renner and Justus Harris got their hands on opposing punts.
Jacob Herbers served as Minnesota's punter in 2018, after seeing action primarily as a holder in 2016 and 2017. He punted 51 times last season, which was the fewest for the Gophers in a season since they punted 38 times in 2005. Herbers averaged 41.24 yards per punt, which was the 13th best season in school history.
Minnesota long snapper Payton Jordahl consistently put the ball where Herbers needed it. The senior ended his career with 51 career starts and 507 career snaps. In addition to his 51 punt snaps in 2018, he snapped to a Minnesota punter 270 times. Jordahl also made 10 career tackles, which included two last season. He also recovered the first fumble of his career in 2018.
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