Michigan Football: Three Takeaways from Orange Bowl Loss to Florida State

Kenny Allen shines in final Michigan game

Among the seniors Michigan will lose is punter and kicker Kenny Allen. The fifth year senior is a homegrown talent from Fenton, Michigan. Allen took over after Brendan Gibbons was kicked off the team, and has only improved since. This year, as a punter, he earned All Big Ten Second Team honors. As a kicker, he was an all Big Ten honorable mention.

This year, Allen was 19 for 23 on field goal attempts, and made all 53 extra point attempts. His punting was the best since Zoltan Mesko graced the big house. The redshirt senior averaged 43 yards a punt, including a long of 67 yards.

In the game against Florida State, Allen may have been Michigan’s most valuable player. He accounted for Michigan’s first 9 points after the offense faltered in the red zone. In addition the field goals, Allen was money on punts. After Nyqwan Murray fumbled away a deep kick on the one, it was recovered by Dymonte Thomas. Sadly, the offense couldn’t convert and brought on Allen for his second attempt on the night.

Allen repeatedly pinned FSU back despite the offense requiring him to punt eight times. He averaged 47 yards, above his season average. His production will be missed, but Michigan has an heir waiting in the wings. Quinn Nordin will benefit from the same special teams coaching that helped Allen to become an asset.