Northwestern Football’s Himon takes on the kick return role

Shortly after Northwestern gave up a touchdown to then-No. 23 Indiana at the end of the first quarter on Oct. 5, redshirt sophomore running back Joseph Himon II threw the kickoff around the two-yard line and scampered up the left sideline , previously evading Hoosier defenders, is tackled after a 30-yard return.

A game-ending facemask penalty added 15 yards, and the Wildcats began their 10-play scoring drive at their own 47-yard line.

“There’s just a certain level of energy that comes from the sideline when the offense opens a drive at the 40-yard line or 50-yard line,” coach David Braun said. “There’s a level of confidence right now when Joe has the ball in his hands and people are blocking him.”

The play was one of several instances in which Himon provided the impetus for the NU offense. Through six games, the redshirt sophomore running back is one of the best kick returners in the country, amassing 304 return yards on 10 attempts. Himon’s 30.4 average kickoff return yards per attempt is fifth best in the country and No. 1 in the Big Ten.

“It’s really just a testament to my teammates blocking for me,” Himon said. “Without these guys I wouldn’t be able to get through the holes they open for me and do what I do. … It’s a testament to the coaches trusting me and getting me back there to do what I do best.”

However, the redshirt sophomore’s only kick return last season came in the ‘Cats’ win against Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl. Himon says he’s been returning kicks his entire life, so it was only a matter of time before he got the opportunity to do so at NU.

“Coach always told me, ‘Just stay ready,’ because I could be really important in the kick return game,” Himon said. “That just means I stay ready and wait for my turn.”

Braun said it was especially exciting to see Himon take advantage of his chance to return.

Last season, Himon played a sparkplug role on offense, throwing an 85-yard receiving touchdown in Braun’s first win as a head coach against UTEP.

“We knew we had some special things with Joe on the offensive side of the ball, but seeing how that translated to special teams play was really fun,” Braun said.

The Cats face Wisconsin on Saturday, a team that has been strong against kickoff returns this season. The Badgers allow an average of 17 yards per kickoff return, a stat that ranks 32nd nationally.

Knowing this, Himon and the NU special teams are considering various defensive plans, but he is mostly focused on his own execution.

“I’m really just focused on us,” Himon said. “I’m focused on looking at my reads, knowing where to hit, knowing which guys are blocking which, so I’m really just focused on us.”

Under first-year special teams coordinator Paul Creighton, NU has steadily improved its kick return game since last season.

The Cats are averaging over five more yards per kickoff return this season. Additionally, they gained 111 yards on kick returns in their first three games. Since conference play began, NU has gained 272 yards on kick returns. Himon’s 96-yard kickoff return against Washington is his team’s longest return of the season.

Himon credits these improvements to hard work in practice and confidence in the team’s explosive ability.

“We know we can achieve great success in this team,” said Himon. “We really go hard in training every day and refine the little details.”

Himon has played in all six games this season, recording 122 rushing yards and a touchdown on 28 attempts as the team’s second running back. However, the redshirt sophomore has fully embraced the new part of his job.

“It feels really good to be able to contribute to my team. I try to contribute to the team’s success in any way I can,” Himon said. “I actually do everything and put everything on the line for my team.”

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