Ann Arbor, MI (U-WIRE) -- The pivotal play in last year's Michigan-Ohio State game occurred with neither Wolverines quarterback Chad Henne nor Buckeyes signal-caller Troy Smith on the field. Braylon Edwards and Mike Hart were also on the sideline. Ohio State starting running back Lydell Ross was nowhere to be found.

With just five minutes gone in the second half and the Buckeyes leading, 20-14, former Michigan punter Adam Finley booted a 48-yard bomb inside Ohio State's 20-yard line. The Buckeyes' punt returner, then-freshman Ted Ginn Jr., put some moves on a few would-be tacklers before breaking free and outrunning the rest of the Wolverines' coverage unit for an 82-yard touchdown gallop. The Buckeyes took a commanding 13-point lead and quickly widened the gap, eventually downing Michigan 37-21.

"(Ginn) ripped our hearts out when he scored," said linebacker David Harris, who saw his only action that day on the punt team. "He was the fastest man on the field, and nobody was able to catch him."

Harris's recollection calls attention to a crucial but frequently underappreciated part of football: special teams.

Well-executed punts and kickoffs can strongly influence a game's outcome by giving a team a field-position advantage. Missed tackles, poor kick-coverage and long returns can blow a game wide open in a matter of seconds. Field goals and extra points have an obvious impact on the score and can also affect the flow of a game.

Special teams have played an especially huge role in the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry. The last two Wolverines to win the Heisman Trophy, Charles Woodson and Desmond Howard, are remembered largely for punt returns against the Buckeyes. Woodson's 78-yard return for a touchdown in 1997 and Howard's 93-yard scoring sprint in 1991 rank among the most memorable plays in Michigan history.

"Looking back at the history of this game since I've been in it, special teams almost always play a critical role in winning or losing," coach Lloyd Carr said. "I think every player understands that on every single play, there is an opportunity to make something happen or there is a chance to make a mistake. Everybody understands that every single play is important, and any time two teams play with that mindset, normally it means great intensity and a great football game."

Both Ohio State and Michigan boast game-breaking personnel on special teams this year. Ginn still handles the kickoff and punt return duties for the Buckeyes, and although his numbers are down from last year -- when he led the nation with 25.6 yards per punt return and scored four touchdowns, compared to this year's 12.2-yard average and one score -- he remains one of the most exciting big-play threats in the country. Ginn ranks in the top five in the Big Ten for both punt and kickoff returns, and Ohio State receiver Santonio Holmes averages an impressive 14.7 yards per punt return. The Buckeyes rank first in kickoff returns in the Big Ten.

"Ohio State has explosive returners," said receiver Carl Tabb, who returns kickoffs and plays on the kick-coverage unit. "They have their best players on special teams, which creates problems for other teams. ... Ted Ginn is probably one of the best returners I've seen. But, to be honest with you, one man doesn't make or break a unit."

Michigan's Steve Breaston picked up most of his 201 all-purpose yards in last week's game against Indiana on returns. The redshirt junior receiver provides the Wolverines with a similarly gifted athlete on special teams. After getting off to a slow start this season due to injury, Breaston has turned in some tremendous performances recently. A 52-yard touchdown catch at Iowa and a 95-yard kickoff return for a score against Minnesota provided a glimpse of what Breaston is capable of.

"I think certainly we've got to do a great job preparing for their return game, and certainly Steve is a weapon for us," Carr said. "That dimension makes for a great football game. ... Certainly when you have skilled people like Ohio State has, like we have, you have an opportunity to create great field position (and) you have an opportunity to create great momentum shifts."

When it comes to the kicking game, the Buckeyes have a couple fresh faces this season. Sixth-year senior Josh Huston has replaced last year's placekicker, Mike Nugent, who now plays for the New York Jets. Huston leads the Big Ten in field goal percentage and scoring among kickers, and he hasn't missed a field goal shorter than 49 yards all season. Redshirt freshman A.J. Trapasso has taken over punting duties from Kyle Turano, and he's averaging over 40 yards per attempt.

Michigan placekicker Garrett Rivas sits second in the Big Ten in field goal percentage and field goals per game. Kickoff specialist Ross Ryan has boomed 35 of his 59 kickoffs for touchbacks while averaging 38.6 yards per attempt as the Wolverines' punter this season.

Both Michigan and Ohio State know that errors on special teams must be minimized on Saturday.

"I can't make any mistakes," Tabb said. "My mistakes may cost my team a touchdown or the game, and that is not something that I'm willing to put on my shoulders. So when it comes to practicing this week, I'm going to do everything I can to make sure I'm not the one that makes a crucial mistake at a critical time."

(C) 2004 Michigan Daily via U-WIRE