BOONE, N.C. - As Appalachian State found out in 2015, special teams can change the whole complexion of a season.

Whether it was a big play from punter Bentlee Critcher, or a clutch field goal from the graduated kicker Zach Matics, the unit played a big part in helping the Mountaineers set the Sun Belt record for wins in a single season. App State also set a new record for victories by a team in its first season as a full-fledged member of NCAA Division I FBS.

This season, Critcher spearheads a special teams unit that will look to do the same going into the 2016 campaign. During his junior season, Critcher punted 51 times, with 13 of his punts being down inside the 20-yard line, while 17 of his punts went longer than 50 yards. His 43.4 net average ranked fifth in the Sun Belt and was among the top 50 in the nation.  

The senior punter has played many roles in his four years with App State. The diverse skill set Critcher brings to the table allows Appalachian to use the senior as a weapon with uses beyond that of a typical punter. 

“It's very important to be a versatile punter,” stated Critcher.  “A lot of your punters are very good athletes because there's a lot of moving parts. Your snaps aren't always going to be perfect so you'll have to be able to catch the ball. With having a background playing different positions in high school, it helps gives the coaches the confidence in me to make plays other than punting.”

In special teams coordinator Stu Holt's second season, the special teams unit is adapting to his schemes and what he has ready for the core. App State has had a great camp in terms of the special teams squad. 

“Everybody is getting another year of Coach Holt's schemes, and what he's trying to help us accomplish,” said Critcher. “ Michael (Rubino) and Elias (McMurry) have been doing well, and I think I've had a great camp as well.”

Redshirt freshman Michael Rubino will get the nod to start as the kicker, replacing Matics who hit three 50-yarders and the game-winning kick as time expired in the Camellia Bowl. Rubino has shown his leg strength in camp, hitting numerous 40-yarder sand even some 50-yard field goals. 

“I tell Michael (Rubino) try to do as many mental reps as possible because come Thursday or Saturday, there's a lot more people and the environment is faster and louder,” Holt said. “He (Rubino) just needs to take what he does in practice and translate that to the game. He's young and he's going to have a great season for us.”

In addition, the Mountaineers plan to have an explosive return game. Jaquil Capel will get the chance to be an explosive playmaker as the kickoff and punt returner. While Capel returned just two kicks last season,  his 36.5 yard average on those attempts shows what he is capable of in the open field. 

Make no mistake about it, the Appalachian special teams will be ready for the 7:30 p.m. showdown on the SEC Network at Tennessee in front of over 100,000 screaming fans in Neyland Stadium. 

App State may need one or two big plays from special teams to stun the No. 9/10 Volunteers next Thursday.