Special version of competition emerges at Pitt's training camp

Fans seeking information about the first week of Pitt training camp want to know, of course, about the two quarterbacks vying to replace Kenny Pickett.

They are curious about the wide receivers expected to step up in the absence of Jordan Addison. Will transfers Konata Mumpfield and Bub Means allow their athletic gifts to translate into points?

Will Pitt run more this season?

Will the defense find the consistency and the game-changing plays that its coaches demand?

All worth asking, but one other question often gets ignored: What about special teams?

Pitt needs a new punter and punt returner, long snapper and holder. Plus, backup field-goal and extra-point kicker Ben Sauls doesn’t plan to stand by and allow incumbent Sam Scarton to keep the job without competition.

“We make each other better,” said Sauls, a scholarship sophomore who added that redshirt freshman walk-on Caleb Junko adds a third foot to the mix. “We have three really, really good kickers.

“Constant competition. It mows out the weak.”

Unseating Scarton, a walk-on who is a candidate to receive a scholarship before the start of the season, won’t be easy.

He was named third-team All-ACC as a sophomore last season after converting 17 of 21 field-goal attempts, including a long of 47 yards.

Scarton had the good fortune to kick for a team that tied Ohio State for second nationally in touchdowns (76). He missed three of 72 extra-point tries, and he ended up scoring 120 points to set a Pitt record that had stood since 2009.

Sauls was 2 for 4 on extra points, but he handled all kickoffs. He recorded 44 touchbacks in 104 boots, averaging 62.3 yards per attempt.

Believe it or not, kickoffs are critiqued as much as any activity on the field, with special teams coach Andre Powell putting a stopwatch on hang times.

“If it’s anything below 3.8 (seconds), it’s considered a bad kickoff for us,” Sauls said.

Sauls knocked one 81 yards — 6 yards beyond the back of the end zone — with a 4.3-second hang time in the 2021 opener. “Really big ball,” Sauls said.

Sometimes finesse works, too.

Michigan State kicker Stephen Rusnak sailed a kickoff almost to the end zone — but not quite — to open the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Pitt returner Izzy Abanikanda assumed it would be a touchback, but the football hit at the 2 and settled there — like a golfer might hit a good wedge shot.

Abanikanda was forced to pick it up, and he was tackled at the 2. Pitt’s poor field position led to a Michigan State touchdown within the game’s first two minutes.

“There’s definitely a form to it,” said Sauls, who counts Rusnak as one of his good friends from summer kicking camps. “But there’s a lot of luck involved, too, to get the perfect spin on it.”

Whether it’s distance or placement, Sauls said, “We just want to improve and hit a better ball each time.”

“We’re chasing perfection. We know that’s not going to happen, but that’s a great goal to be chasing constantly.”

Meanwhile, Powell must find a new punter for the first time in five camps. One Australian may replace another after Kirk Christodoulou moved on and freshman Sam Vander Haar joined the team on scholarship.

“He can punt the ball far. He can punt the ball high,” Powell said.

Among Vander Haar’s attributes are confidence, intelligence and courage, Powell said. “The same characteristics of a good football player. He doesn’t get spooked very easily.”

Sophomore Cam Guess (Belle Vernon) is Vander Haar’s competition as a punter and holder. Sauls said Guess holds for him and Vander Haar for Scarton.

On the other end of punts, Addison had the potential to change a team’s fortunes. He averaged 15.4 yards on only 12 returns, and wide receiver Jaylon Barden returned nine for an average of 10 yards. Cornerback M.J. Devonshire (Aliquippa) is a candidate this season.

“In my opinion, the punt return is the special teams play where you can have the most impact in the game,” Powell said. “People are spread out. There’s more room to manipulate.”

Sophomore Byron Floyd is in line to replace long snapper Cal Adomitis, who held the job for five seasons. Floyd’s competition is redshirt freshman James Fineran.

“As great as Cal is and as fantastic as Cal is, we haven’t missed a beat,” Sauls said. “Byron Floyd has stepped up. He throws gas. He hits his spots.”