Michael Farkas and his family went to dinner Saturday at Cutler’s Restaurant at the Ohio University Inn after the Bobcats beat Howard. He had punted eight times — three of them sailed over 50 yards.
After dinner, he saw Tim Albin, Ohio’s offensive coordinator, who was in a recruiting dinner. Albin’s offense struggled at times against Howard, and Farkas helped flip the field position throughout the game. Albin pulled Farkas aside to tell him how he felt about the redshirt junior punter’s performance.
“(Albin) pulled me aside and said, ‘Hey, you helped save the game and we’re lucky to have you,’” Farkas said. “It’s a good feeling, especially when it comes from him and coach (Frank) Solich.”
Farkas deserved the thanks from his coaches. The three punts that traveled at least 50 yards followed drives of fewer than five plays for the Bobcats.
One was when Ohio was down 16-3 and in its own red zone. The Bobcats needed a punt that flipped field position, and Farkas delivered.
Another was when Ohio was clinging to a six-point lead late in the fourth quarter. Farkas’ punt went 58 yards, hampering Howard’s chance at a game-winning drive.
As Ohio’s offense continuously failed to close out the game with first downs, Farkas was there to put Howard in a bad spot. That’s his job, and he's good at it — his average punt was 46.0 yards Saturday, good for 16th nationally.
On the flip side of those spiralling punts is the defense, the beneficiary of Farkas’ skill as a punter. When Farkas is punting well, Ohio’s defense has an advantage.
On the 58-yard punt toward the end of the game, Howard had to start at its own 7-yard line thanks to the punt. The Bison were pinned deep, and their offense had to drive 93 yards to tie the game and potentially take the lead.
“We talk about, on defense, field position plus momentum equals points,” defensive coordinator Jimmy Burrow said. “The better punter you have, the better field position you’re going to have. It creates momentum. If he can flip the field one way or the other, a lot of times, points (are) the result. It’s a huge weapon in your arsenal.”
Those moments are nothing new for Farkas, and when he comes off the field after those, he knows he’s appreciated. Specialists are often outcasts on teams, rarely practicing with the rest of the team. They come to practice, do their punting and kicking duties and watch the other units.
That’s not the case for Farkas.
“I hear a lot of people don’t always feel welcomed on their team as a specialist, and here, it’s completely different,” Farkas said. “Couldn’t ask for a better group.”
Of course, it’s easy to be welcoming to to a fourth-year punter who has success. Farkas’ resume stands on its own; he has a career average of 41.0 yards per punt on 137 punts. He’s also the holder for kicker Louie Zervos’ field goals and extra points. He’s been consistent throughout his time at Ohio, and he is part of a colorful special teams unit.
Farkas and Zervos have been around the program for four years. They have worked hard in their time in Athens, with the goal of becoming the best special teams unit in the country. Farkas says Zervos is already there: the best kicker in America. Their shared success as specialists has earned them respect in the locker room.
And although he’s one of the most successful players on Ohio’s roster, relative by position, Farkas is only in his third year playing at Ohio. He’s got plenty of time to improve. But for now, he’s good. And he knows it.
“I just try to help the team, but everyone in the best position possible,” Farkas said. “Pin them as deep as possible, and I go from there. I do my job and it helps everyone else.”
