UW’s Vujnovich seeking production boom
MADISON – Andy Vujnovich wasn't disappointed to perform in empty football stadiums in 2020.
Punting at Wisconsin after transferring from Division III Dubuque, Vujnovich embraced the sounds of silence and lack of prying eyes.
“Honestly, with COVID and everything, that was the perfect first year leading up to a bigger stage,” Vujnovich said. “No fans. It was like (easing) into the DI level.”
Vujnovich averaged 41.6 yards per punt in his first season at UW. That was the No. 10 mark in the Big Ten, just one-half yard off the No. 8 mark of Maryland's Anthony Pecorella (42.1).
Vujnovich, a graduate of Columbus High School, believes he is ready to improve his numbers this season.
“Now I'm just easing into the next (step), which would be adding fans, and I'll have the experience from last year,” he said. “So I'll feel pretty comfortable going into this year.”
Vujnovich punted a total of 33 times in seven games last season. He had five punts of 50 yards or longer and 13 punts that pinned the opponent inside its 20yard line.
He accomplished both feats on his first punt of the season, a 60-yarder that was downed at the Illinois 7. He mishit his second punt, however, and the result was a 36-yarder that went out of bounds at the Illinois 44.
“The next punt I kind of got in my own head,” he said. “I felt like I needed to match that. I've just got to remember to relax, enjoy the moment, do the same thing and not think about the past. The only thing that matters is the next kick.”
The staff's No. 1 goal for Vujnovich in 2021 is fewer mishits.
“Andy probably wasn't as polished in some of the details of punting,” special teams coach Chris Haering said. “Certainly ultra-talented. The thing a lot of people don't understand with punting and I learn more about it, it is the catching of the snap.
“If you can be really clean with your hands – and Andy has worked extremely hard in the offseason on the JUGS machine – to minimize any of the movement the ball when you get to your drop…you're going to see a big difference in him this fall catching the football.”
Vujnovich acknowledged the accuracy of UW's long-snappers was superior to what he experienced at Dubuque.
“When I first came here I was surprised at the level of skill these guys had,” he said. “When I first started working with them…I didn't even have to worry about the snap…not having to worry about being ready to jump for a ball or being a shortstop out there. You're just ready for a great ball. It has been amazing.”
Nevertheless, he also understands he must be better prepared to handle snaps that are even slightly off the mark.
“With the snap, in a realistic world we're not going to get the perfect snap every time,” he said. “The best-case scenario is we get it in the same spot and it is the same process every time. But you've got to be ready for adversity.
“My goal has been that wherever the snap is, to catch it in front of my body but not too close to my body. Because every tenth of a second matters. Just catching the ball in a position where it is very feasible to get back to my position to do the rest of the process.”
UW's punters and place-kickers will have a new long-snapper this season because four-year starter Adam Bay departed after last season.
Peter Bowden from San Diego closed the spring as the No. 1 long-snapper.
“Pete has the advantage of being two years into the program and getting a lot of (practice) reps even though he wasn't playing on Saturdays in the fall,” Haering said. “He has worked really hard to change his body (and) become very solid in protection, which in our system is just as important as the snapping.
“We've got to keep him healthy and keep him progressing.”
Duncan McKinley was No. 2 but suffered a torn ACL during practice and isn't expected back this season.
That forced the staff to turn to outside linebacker Marty Strey, a walk-on from Sun Prairie. Strey was serviceable but Haering noted the staff hoped to add another long-snapper before the season.
“Everyone likes to think that specialists jobs are super easy,” kicker Collin Larsh said. “And then they go (try) it and they can't. Marty is an athlete. He has figured it out.”