Arizona State’s special teams move past clockwork blunders

(Photo: Jack Simon/WCSN)

London’s “Big Ben” features four clock faces pointing toward each cardinal direction. Every dial is engineered to display the exact same time.

Dating back to 2025, special teams miscues have hit Arizona State with a clockwork rhythm. At times, Big Ben chiming twice in an hour has felt more probable than ASU outplaying its opponent in the third phase.

Four faces stepped into new roles this offseason, all now working to stay aligned. Special teams coordinator Jack Nudo entered his first full season in the position, while the core trio at kicker, punter, and long snapper was replaced.

The Sun Devils still aren’t fully dialed in on that facet, but at Wembley Stadium, 12 miles from the clock tower, the unit moved closer to being in sync. Though it wasn’t perfect, the group played a key role in ASU’s (2‑1, 1‑0 Big 12) 24‑17 win over Kansas (1‑2, 0‑1) at the Union Jack Classic.

“Shout out to Coach Nudo,” fourth-year kick returner Jaren “Turbo” Hamilton said. “He’s really been pouring into us, honing in and teaching us the basics, the fundamentals, everything.”

Last week against Texas A&M, second‑year receiver Cory Butler Jr.’s muffed punt set up the first touchdown on either side. Eleven minutes into the second quarter, the Sun Devils’ punt coverage gave away the Union Jack Classic’s first house call, underscoring how much room there is to grow.

ASU fourth‑year transfer punter Nick McLarty booted a 42‑yarder to Kansas’ 28‑yard line. First‑year defensive back Zeth Thues couldn’t finish the tackle on second‑year receiver Tate Nagy, who weaved 72 yards to the end zone behind a string of well‑timed Jayhawk blocks.

Three punts later, McLarty got his chance at redemption. Trailing 7‑3 with under a minute left in the half, the Sun Devils opted to punt from nine yards past midfield. McLarty drove a 39‑yard punt with precision, placing the ball at Kansas’ 2‑yard line.

“Nick did an absolutely phenomenal job tonight,” head coach Kenny Dillingham said. “That guy is energetic. He’s got passion for the game, so I’m glad we have him.”

The Jayhawks went three‑and‑out close to their goal line, unable to bleed the clock as ASU burned all three timeouts. First‑year punter Matt Gill’s ensuing punt traveled just 17 yards, setting the Sun Devils up at Kansas’ 25. A 25‑yard touchdown pass to fourth‑year transfer receiver Reed Harris gave ASU a 10‑7 halftime lead.

McLarty and Gill are natives of Australia who grew up on separate corners of the continent — McLarty came from Melbourne and Gill’s roots are tied to Sydney. McLarty got the best in the duel of the countrymen.

Outside of Nagy’s score, the Jayhawks gained just five yards on punt returns. McLarty’s 42.4‑yard average outpaced Gill’s 36, and he delivered the game’s only punt that traveled more than 50 yards.

McLarty’s last punt should’ve been another that stopped inside the 20, but Butler broke the end zone’s plane before downing it. His second special‑teams lapse in two weeks turned the play into a touchback for Kansas.

“(McLarty) felt right at home out there,” Dillingham said. “Even that last punt was phenomenal, should have been pinned down at the one.”

Special teams progress didn’t stop in the first half. On the third quarter’s opening kickoff, Hamilton put the Sun Devils up by two scores with a 100‑yard return touchdown.

Last season, ASU averaged 17.3 yards per kick return, tied for the third‑lowest mark among Big 12 teams. Furthermore, the Sun Devils’ average punt distance of 39.2 yards ranked last. Saturday’s game offered a glimpse of a unit no longer stuck at the bottom.

When ASU returns from across the pond, every face must operate in sync like Big Ben for the glimpse to become something lasting.

“When we’re firing on all cylinders, there’s not a lot of people that can hang with us,” Hamilton said. “When we stick to our keys, play our game, not let what the opponent does affect us, and don’t shoot ourselves in the foot, we’re amazing.”