MWB

MWB SPECIAL TEAMS

MAKE 'EM WALK BACKWARDS

“MWB? 'Make 'em walk backwards.' The ultimate show of disrespect is to turn your back on someone. When our special teams take the field, we want the opponents' full attention. We want them worried about what we are going to do. We want them walking backwards, with their eyes on us. When our special teams take the field, we want opponents to fear us." – Special Teams coordinator Ricky Brumfield

REFINING TECHNIQUE

“The spring is the time that we try new things and try to refine technique and things that we can build on going into the season. You’re not preparing for a game that week so you can tweak things more than you normal can in-season, but at the same time when we get into team periods you have to be able to perform.” - Placekicker and punter Brian Delaney

THE PASSION

“I enjoy his pride, passion and purpose for the game. Every day he comes in ready to attack and always has a plan for us to get better. We don’t take any day for granted.” - Long snapper Lee Dudley on Coach Brumfield

“He has a clear plan for every side of the special teams phase whether it's kickoff, kick return, punt, punt return. He just has a different emphasis every single day and brings that passion that we need.” - Nick Grant on Coach Brumfield

THE PREP

“It’s the first time I’ve done it since I got here last year. Meeting on the field before practice starts, I think it’s an easier transition from the film to the walk-through to practice. So, it’s uncommon, but I like it. I think it’s good for the kids.” - Ricky Brumfield

MERRY-GO-ROUND

UVA's punt returners spin in a tight circle until one of them is called to field the kick that is already in flight and headed their way.

“Basically, it distracts while you wait for the ball to be kicked, because it can be kicked anywhere so you just have to be prepared to go get it whatever.” - Chuck Davis

A COMING TOGETHER

“My favorite thing about special teams is the encompassing of every side of the ball. You have people that you’re usually never on the field with. Like, for special teams, I am on the field with Hasise (Dubois). He plays offense (wide receiver) and I play defense (defensive back) but at the end of the day we’re still on the same team. It’s a good reminder that we’re all on the same team working with the same goal.” – Nick Grant

SPECIAL EMPHASIS

“I think there’s a lot of emphasis on special teams. You see, he’s involved in meetings, he’s involved at practice, he’s always getting on the guys for us being up-tempo and having a fast pace. He definitely has a lot of emphasis on it.” - Ricky Brumfield on head coach Bronco Mendenhall.

NO ORDINARY DAYS

Special Teams periods during practice can come at any time. UVA head coach Bronco Mendenhall does not script them in advance. The players have to be prepared to sprint onto the field at any moment.

“I think that it’s very game-like because at any point we could have an interception where we have to run from the other corner of the field and get down for a PAT or have a big play where we have to get out there quick. Punt is not quite as ideal because it’s usually on a fourth down, but for field goal I think that it’s helpful to stay on our toes and be as game-like as possible.” - Punter/holder Nash Griffin.

COMMITTED TO THE WIN

“I like that they’re all in. That they all want to get better. They come in and ask what can they do to get better. They watch film, they spend time, they get extra reps when we’re not practicing. I think they want to be great, I really do. What I like about this group is that they would do anything to help the team win and they don’t complain. I think they just want to win. I think they want to compete because they’re competitive and they want to participate and compete to play in the games, but I know at the end of the day they just want to win. And I can see that from them.” - Ricky Brumfield

THE OBSERVATION

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