Sure-handed Greg Mathews gets first crack at returning punts for Michigan football team

While Notre Dame employs the dangerous Golden Tate as punt returner, Michigan is taking a different approach to the kicking game.

Fed up with the fumbles that infested his special teams a year ago, Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez installed Greg Mathews as the Wolverines' No. 1 punt returner.

Mathews fielded six punts in Saturday's 31-7 win over Western Michigan. He made four fair catches, had two returns for 16 yards, and, more importantly, did not drop a ball.

"Ball security was first and foremost in our mind in both kick return and punt return," Rodriguez said. "Greg’s the best we got at catching the ball."

That was Michigan's biggest problem on special teams last season, when it lost eight fumbles on returns. Mathews had one turnover, on a second-quarter punt against Wisconsin, but showed dependable hands during fall camp.

Still, Rodriguez said he hopes to get others involved in the return game. Martavious Odoms and Darryl Stonum each returned kicks against the Broncos, and the explosive Odoms, who fumbled three punts and a kick last year (but also had a 73-yard punt return touchdown), is Mathews' backup on punts.

"Tay Odoms is going to get some chances in the punt," Rodriguez said. "He may be our best back there as far as making something happen."