Charlie Becker Embraces his Special Teams Role

In last Saturday’s game against Western Kentucky, Becker went back in time and played special teams once again. Becker was put in as the punt returner after Tyler Morris struggled in the role against Howard.

Charlie Becker has been Indiana’s superstar wide receiver since the Penn State game last season. Before this, he was a special teams player for Indiana, seeking any reps he could get.

When asked how he felt about the role, Becker was enthusiastic.

“Yeah, I love special teams,” Becker said. “I think that’s kind of where I started off as a freshman. I really wanted to get on the field anywhere I could, and I found myself on special teams. When all three phases of our team are working, that’s really good football, and I just wanted to contribute in any way, and I’m really excited to be on the field at all times”.

Becker is excited to help out the team in any form, and as a punt returner, he can certainly do so. Becker is the star of the offense, collecting national headlines, but he still wants to do the smaller things to help Indiana win. This falls back on what Indiana football is all about under Curt Cignetti: mastering the details.

There are also lessons to be learned for Becker when he plays special teams.

“There’s a level of grittiness that comes with special teams,” Becker said. “You’ve got to be willing to do everything that comes with it. I think just taking that to the run game, the pass game, just kind of bringing that grit to everything we’re doing”.

This ‘grittiness’ that is involved with special teams is also what presents the punt return game as an injury threat. Becker probably cannot be Indiana’s every-day punt returner, but he can fill in and do the role well, and do it happily.

In the Western Kentucky game, Becker had one return for 17 yards, and then six fair catches. It was clear that the game plan was for him to fair catch it more than not, but he did have the green light on his 17-yard return.

It will be fascinating to see if Becker is in at punt return for the Northwestern game, but even if he isn’t, IU knows that they can count on him to fill the role if needed.