Return game gives Wolfpack a lift

Dave Doeren doesn’t have to hold his breath and hope to avoid the worst when N.C. State goes back to return a kick this season.

The Wolfpack coach expects the best with the significant improvement his team has shown in both punt and kickoff returns.

N.C. State (5-2, 1-2 ACC) will probably need a boost from its special teams to knock off No. 3 Clemson (7-0, 4-0) on Saturday (3:30 p.m, ABC) at Carter-Finley Stadium.

The Wolfpack got a 52-yard punt return for a touchdown from junior receiver Bra’Lon Cherry this past Saturday in a 35-17 ACC win at Wake Forest.

Freshman receiver Nyheim Hines had a 90-yard kickoff return to set up a touchdown in a 20-13 loss to Louisville back on Oct. 3.

Last year, N.C. State didn’t get many positive plays out of its return teams. The Wolfpack ranked 119th in the country in kickoff return average with 18.2 yards per return. The punt return unit was even worse, at No. 124 in the country with a 4.8 yards per return average.

“Last year we were really bad in punt return and kickoff return,” Doeren said.

Through seven games, the return game has been one of the Wolfpack’s biggest assets. The team ranks 10th in the country in kickoff returns with a 26.4 average and 11th in punt returns with 15.8 average.

There is a new energy on this year’s return units, helped by the addition of Hines, a speedy freshman from Garner, and also the maturity of Cherry.

“Every time those two guys get the ball, it has been positive,” Doeren said.

Doeren also credited assistant coaches Eddie Faulkner and Clayton White for the improvement.

The addition of Hines has been a quick fix on the kickoff return. The freshman averages 27.4 yards per return. In addition to the 90-yarder against Louisville, he had a 90-plus yard return against South Alabama called back by a holding penalty. Five of his 17 returns this season have gone for 30 yards or more.

Hines said his return success is a credit to his blockers.

“Those guys believe in me,” Hines said. “They always tell me, ‘If it’s not a touchback, we can return it for a touchdown.’ ”

Hines has been close to two touchdowns this season but was caught from behind against South Alabama and cut off at the 10-yard line by Louisville and tried to cut back and maneuver into the end zone.

Receivers coach George McDonald has teased Hines, who finished second in the state championship race in the 100 meters as a junior in high school, about his closing speed.

“I think from now on, I’m just going to keep running down the sideline,” Hines said.

On the punt return unit, Cherry returned kicks last season but averaged only 5.8 yards per return and fumbled one against South Florida. He was also often indecisive about when to catch the ball and save extra yards.

“I think Cherry has gotten so much more confident,” Doeren said.

A year older and smarter, Cherry has emerged as a threat this season. His 16.4 average ranks second in the ACC. He almost broke his first return of the season, a 33-yarder against Troy, for a touchdown. He has had six returns of 25 yards or more. Last year, his longest return went for 18 yards.

“I’m more relaxed and I actually feel good out there,” Cherry said. “We are all working together and trying to make a big play and help the offense with field position.”

This story was originally published October 27, 2015 at 2:19 PM with the headline "Return game gives Wolfpack a lift."