Tech's Punting Game Is Booming

Georgia Tech is well-positioned to handle punting situations in the upcoming season.

In the off-season, Tech secured the services of Alex Bacchetta, grad transfer following his 2025 campaign at Rice.

Last season for the Owls he punted 62 times for a 45.0 yard average, with a long of 64 yards, and 12 kicks that led to possession inside the opponent's 20-yard line.

Those are numbers that light up eyes of special teams coaches. Bacchetta is a graduate of Westminster School in Atlanta. He went to Penn State for his first two years of college then to Rice for two seasons, where he graduated with a finance degree.

The 6'2", 235 pounder comes back to Atlanta to compete in the ACC. His recent resume bodes well for Tech, who enjoyed good one- year production from 2025 punter Marshall Nichols.

And while we commonly concentrate on yardage per punt, other measures are likewise important. Average yards per return ties into hang time. Likewise, how well does the punter execute directional kicks, and how often does he serve up a touchback, versus pinning the opponent's offense deep in their own territory ?

At Georgia Tech, punting concepts go even deeper. No less an authority than Robert Lee Dodd himself (better known as Bobby) considered the punt as an occasional surprise weapon, as opposed to a simple acquiescence to a fourth and long situation.

Dodd was known to quick-kick on third down if he was facing third and long and held little prospect of converting for a fresh set of downs. Punting on third down to an unsuspecting defense often led to a long roll and no return, which more effectively "flipped" the field.

Of course, the days of defense- dominant college football are far back in thr rearview mirror, but the point remains that punting is a greater consideration than simply "Don't get it blocked and hang it up there for a long time".

In that regard, the Jackets should be well- served by the work of Bacchetta, a proven performer at a high level.

Patrick Conarro

RamblinSports