Tim Reed/THE POST Bobcat defenders Tom Carder (40) and Rahim Slaise (88) team up to sack Akron quarterback Butchie Washington in Ohio's 28-14 Homecoming victory Saturday at Peden Stadium. With the win, Ohio improved its record to 2-5, overall, and 2-2 in conference play.

Mention the words "Ohio" and "special teams" in the same breath to an Ohio Bobcat football fan, and chances are, the fan will cringe. Unless, that is, that breath came after the Bobcats' 28-14 win over Akron Saturday.

In this case, that Ohio fan might cringe a little and then recoil, remembering that the special teams played well against the Zips.

But Ohio's special teams play most of this season has been far from acceptable for Bobcat coach Jim Grobe.

There's the blocked punt against North Carolina State that was run back for a touchdown, giving the Wolfpack the lead, and eventually the win.

Against Wisconsin, the Bobcats were just plain whipped in every aspect of the game, including special teams.

Defending the punt return hasn't worked much either. Marshall's punt returner set a team record for most return yards in a game against Ohio's special team defense.

But throughout the special team's turmoil, one Bobcat has performed consistently well - punter Dave Zastudil.

Against Western Michigan, he successfully executed a punt fake, launching a 35-yard pass to Donnie White that led to an Ohio touchdown.

When Zastudil has punted, the punts have flown long and high, literally putting the foot in football.

That includes a 75-yard punt against Akron to tie the Ohio record. His average for the game was a school record 53.5 yards.

Saturday's game also saw the return of Damion Maxwell, who has been out because of a hand injury. In Maxwell's absence, younger players like Kahieem Maxwell took over. Against Akron, it was almost as if Maxwell had not missed any time at all. On his second return of the game, Maxwell broke lose for a 61-yard touchdown.

The lesson here is a simple one: Forget defense - special teams win and lose football games. Long punts and special teams in general seem to get lost in all of the other exciting football plays like a long touchdown pass or an interception.

But the Peden Stadium crowd recognized Ohio's strong special team play on Saturday, applauding Zastudil for his 75-yard boom and Maxwell for his return.

Yes, it's true that the Bobcat goal line stand in the second quarter prevented Akron from scoring first and gave Ohio the ball and consequentially its first touchdown. But Zastudil's big punt to start that Akron drive prevented the Zips from obtaining good field position. And Maxwell's big return made it a two-touchdown ballgame.

Grobe said nothing was done different in practice last week in the special teams area. They've been doing the same thing all season. But with the exception of Zastudil's consistent performance, there was a marked difference in Ohio's special team play. Akron's longest return was for only 21 yards, and Bobcat returners did not fumble.

During a season in which Ohio fans have not had much to cheer about, the special team's play gave them plenty to cheer about Saturday.

Peirce is a junior journalism major form Cincinnati. He can be reached by e-mail at rp391696.