Cignetti explains why wide receiver Charlie Becker is returning punts for Indiana
The short version
- Curt Cignetti explained Monday why Charlie Becker is handling punt returns for Indiana.
- Cignetti cited the risk of a dropped punt changing momentum in a Big Ten game.
- Becker replaced Tyler Morris, who dropped two punts against Howard.
- Becker returned one punt in Indiana's September 19 game against Western Kentucky.
The Hoosiers coach said the move protects against momentum-shifting drops in Big Ten play, after Tyler Morris fumbled twice earlier this season.
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti addressed the decision to use wide receiver Charlie Becker as the team's punt returner during his Monday press conference, bringing up the topic unprompted while discussing turnover creation.
Cignetti said the reasoning comes down to ball security in high-stakes conference games, noting that a dropped punt can swing the momentum of a Big Ten matchup. His comments came after Indiana's September 19 game against Western Kentucky, in which Becker fielded one punt return.
Becker took over the role from Tyler Morris, who dropped two punts in Indiana's game against Howard. Special teams have been a point of emphasis throughout Cignetti's tenure, with starters frequently used on coverage and return units.
That approach has produced notable results, including blocked punts returned for scores by D'Angelo Ponds against Illinois and by Mikail Kamara in the national championship game against Miami.
