Special teams are usually the guys you see just before a commercial break, but these guys can make or break a football team. Here are the kickers, punters and returners to watch in the Mid-American Conference.

Kent State

Freddy Cortez, place-kicker

The sophomore has made 14 of 15 field goal attempts in his last seven games dating back to last year. Cortez was named MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week after hitting field goals of 41 and 45 yards at Boston College in week two.

Akron

Zack Campbell, punter

Campbell is averaging 37.8 yards per punt this season. The junior has placed nine punts inside the 20-yard line.

Ball State

Ian McGarvey, place-kicker

The senior is 5-for-8 in field goal attempts for the Cardinals this season. He’s 4-for-4 from between 20 to 29 yards.

Ohio

Paul Hershey, punter

Hershey averaged 38.7 yards per kick last week at Marshall. He was named MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week for the effort.

Bowling Green

Eugene Cooper, wide receiver

Cooper leads the Falcons in punt return yardage with an average of 15.1 yards per return.

Buffalo

Terrell Jackson, wide receiver

Jackson leads the Bulls in kick returns this season, averaging 22.4 yards per return. The junior’s season long is 47 yards.

Central Michigan

Jahleel Addae, defensive back

The 5-foot-9 sophomore has seven kick returns for 111 total yards this season. His longest return is 20 yards.

Eastern Michigan

Jay Karutz, punter

Karutz is averaging 41.2 yards per punt in 2010. The sophomore’s longest punt is 56 yards.

Miami

Trevor Cook, place-kicker

Cook is has made 7 of 8 field goals this season. He is 9-for-9 on PAT attempts. Cook’s season long is 40 yards.

Northern Illinois

Josh Wilber, punter

The 5-foot-11 senior is averaging 40.9 yards per punt. Wilber has four punts of over 50 yards, including eight inside the 20-yard line.

Toledo

Eric Page, wide receiver

The sophomore leads the Rockets in kick return yards, averaging 32.1 yards per return. Page scored a touchdown on a 98-yard return against Western Michigan.

Western Michigan

Ben Armer, punter

Armer averages 40.8 yards per punt, with a season long of 62 yards. The junior has landed five punts inside the 20-yard line.

Temple

James Nixon, defensive back

Nixon leads the Owls with an average of 22.8 yards per kickoff return. The junior’s season-long is 29 yards.

Contact Brad Tansey at [email protected].