Lehigh football specialists focus on small details for success

While quarterbacks, wide receivers and edge rushers often claim headlines and dominate postgame coverage, special teams units quietly operate in the background. 

For Lehigh’s football program, success in low-margin-for-error situations rests on specialists: kickers, punters, returners and more.  

To the average fan, a punt or field goal looks routine. But within the program, specialists work in a hyper-detailed environment where small mistakes carry large consequences. 

“When people are watching a punt or field goal, they don’t really notice me unless I mess up, which is frustrating sometimes,”  said Ridgley Ritter, sophomore long snapper. “(Viewers) never really think about if we’re kicking right. I have to put the ball on the right hip. If I don’t, it’s at a high risk of getting blocked. It’s definitely a thankless position, but I’m just happy I can help.”

This pressure is woven into daily practices, as field goal units work on what Ritter called “the 1.2 second rule,” which is the small window of time required from the snap, to the hold to the kick of the ball, to prevent edge rushers from crashing in on the kicker. 

Practice schedules have a strict routine governed by kick limits to help prevent injury, making every single attempt matter in practice and games. 

The mental preparation required to stay engaged is just as crucial as physical reps. Special teams units only step onto the field for a handful of plays each game, so staying sharp and engaged on the sideline requires deliberate focus. 

“The younger guys are typically on special teams, and it can be easy to feel disconnected sometimes,” Ritter said. “I think getting up on the sideline, staying engaged in the game, not only helps them learn the positions and take mental reps, but it also keeps them engaged.”

The coaching staff emphasized this sideline energy to keep the whole team engaged throughout the game. 

Sophomore kicker and punter John Zipf said the coaches do a great job of making sure special teams players aren’t forgotten. 

“When someone makes a play on kickoff, like if you run down and put someone on their butt, the coaches make a point of (recognizing) that,” Zipf said. “We track those stats, look at them in our meetings and shout guys out. It really motivates younger guys to want to play hard on special teams.” 

The time the unit spends on the field impacts the game immensely, and often shows in the points margins. 

Senior kicker and punter Connor Poole said in the recent game against Dartmouth, special teams directly dictated field position and swung the game’s momentum. 

In the fourth quarter, Poole hit a 56-yard punt, pinning Dartmouth deep in their own territory and forcing them to attempt an 80-yard game-winning drive. This drive ended with an interception, giving Lehigh a 24-20 win. 

Poole also highlighted the Mountain Hawks’ 20-7 win over the University of Pennsylvania, where the first points came from a 48-yard field goal. 

“It shows up in those little margins — just helping out the offense and defense, or scoring points when we’re called upon,” Poole said. “We have a lot of trust and confidence that when the spotlight comes upon us, we’re going to execute. It’s a cool opportunity.” 

Relying on the special teams’ ability to execute under pressure creates a team culture that celebrates unsung heroes, even when the fans don’t notice their contributions. 

For players stepping into special teams roles, older players’ and coaches’ advice remains clear: embrace the opportunity to impact the game. 

“As much as everyone wants to be the star running back or the star safety, there’s a lot of pride in playing those special teams roles,” Zipf said. “You’re trusting your teammates, and they’re trusting you to make those plays when they need you to. Be proud of what you do, look for every opportunity and go make a play.”