2021 SLU Football Preseason Position Report No. 5: Specialists

Position: Special Teams
Position Coach: Ross Jenkins (Fourth season at SLU)
Returners: P Austin Dunlap (6-1, 180, So.)*, LS Korey Karbowsky (6-2, 230, Fr.), K Mateo Rengifo (5-10, 225, So.)*, LS Jake Rotenberry (6-1, 215, Jr.)
Newcomers: P/K Aubrey Bishop (5-10, 160, Fr.)
* – All-Southland Conference
** – Did not see action in 2020 season

HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University football team features a pair of All-Southland Conference standouts to lead its special team units.

Punter Austin Dunlap (43.7 punting average in 2020) and kicker Mateo Rengifo (9-10 on field goals) both return after earning all-conference recognition after the spring. After taking over as the starting long snapper in the spring, Korey Karbowsky is also back for the Lions.

“We have a young group of specialists and we want them to build on the success they had this spring,” Southeastern head coach Frank Scelfo said. “Austin was very consistent punting the ball, Mateo was reliable as a place kicker and Korey stepped up as a true freshman at long snapper for us. I couldn’t ask much more from those three guys.”

For special teams coordinator Ross Jenkins, he enters the fall much more ease than he had in the spring when SLU was breaking in a new kicker and long snapper.

“Austin, Mateo and Korey all performed well this spring,” Jenkins commented. “But all of them have plenty of room to improve. Aubrey (Bishop) and Jake (Rotenberry) round out a good group that hold each other accountable. Now that they’re all familiar with our schemes and our expectations, they’re all working on things that can help them take the next step in the fall.”

Dunlap certainly took a sizable leap from year one to year two of his Lion career. The Slidell, Louisiana native raised his punting average by nearly four yards. His average was the eighth-highest in the FCS in the spring, but he was not listed among the national leaders because the Lion offense didn’t allow him to average the 3.6 punt attempts per game the NCAA requires to be listed in its individual rankings.

“We have a lot of trust in each other as a group after having so many reps together starting last fall and into the spring season,” Dunlap said. “For me personally, I’ve just been working on being more consistent and increasing my hang time.”

Southeastern was second nationally in blocked kicks in the spring and also was in the FCS top 20 in punt return coverage. However, Jenkins would like the Lions to make more impact in the return game. He cites Austin Mitchell and newcomer Brennon Dingle, among others, as potential dynamic contributors in the return game.

Southeastern will return to the practice field on Monday at 3:50 p.m. The No. 15/17 Lions open the 2021 season at home, hosting North Alabama at 6 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium on Sept. 4.

2021 Southeastern Football Preseason Practice Schedule
Aug. 23 – 3:50 p.m.
Aug. 24 – 3:50 p.m.
Aug. 25 – 3:50 p.m.
Aug. 26 – 3:50 p.m.
Aug. 27 – 9 a.m.
Aug. 28 – 9 a.m.

TICKETS
For ticket information, contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net. Southeastern will continue offering mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets for the 2021-22 season. All tickets will be available via e-mail or text message in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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