UCLA punter Jeff Locke has Bruins’ opponents backed up

How important is punting?

All you have to do is watch UCLA’s Jeff Locke perform his specialty.

Sure, Locke has a boomer-type leg. He was 12th nationally last season when averaging 44.3 yards. But it’s his soft touch that really impresses.

He dropped a kick dead on the five-yard line last week. On the next play, Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez was sacked by Datone Jones for a safety to give UCLA a 29-27 lead.

“Any time we get in that area, inside the 50-yard line, he’s very capable and more than likely to pin our opponent inside the 10,” UCLA Coach Jim Mora said.

Locke put 26 of his 64 punts inside the 20-yard line last season. He put three inside the 10-yard line against Arizona state, a game the Bruins won, 29-28.

“He’s one of the best punters I’ve ever been around,” Mora said. “It’s fun to watch him work. It’s fun to watch his professionalism in practice and you hope that rubs off on everybody.”

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