FRESNO, Calif. — Kickoff and punt returners on the Fresno State football team have nicknames like "firecrackers" and "bombs" and the kick block unit is known as the "bomb squad."

Altogether fitting descriptions, you might say, because Bulldogs' special teams definitely have an explosive quality to them.

If you thought Boise State's special teams were impressive — and the Broncos edged Hawai'i, 44-41, thanks to a 92-yard punt return, a 69-yard blocked field-goal return, and a blocked point-after return — consider that the Bulldogs might be even better.

At the midway point in their season, the Bulldogs have five touchdowns off punt returns — and by four different players. Already three Bulldogs have been honored as Western Athletic Conference special teams players of the week.

If special teams weren't already, well, special, at FSU, they would be considered that this week as the No. 22-ranked Bulldogs prepare for their date Saturday with the Warriors at Aloha Stadium.

If this one turns into a pinball game like the Boise State contest — and that is the expectation — special teams could play a decisive role.

So, the first thing the Bulldogs were scheduled to practice this week behind the closed fences of their campus practice facility was special teams.

"Special teams is very big at Fresno State and we have a lot of fun with it," head coach Pat Hill said. "It is the first meeting every day and first part of practice every day."

In the spring, special drills focusing on evaluating special teams talent and building fundamentals are held.

Though the Bulldogs block an average of more than one kick every other game, punt and kick blocking are but two of the many arrows in their quiver. They are No. 2 in the nation in punt return average (25.9 yards) and fourth in kickoff return average (27.4 yards), lead the WAC in kickoff and punt returns and, at an average of 0.1 yards per return, allow the least yardage in punt returns in the WAC.

That excellence is by executive mandate from Hill who became, early on in his career, a special teams believer. That belief has been reinforced by stints working for Bill Belichek with the Baltimore Ravens and Dick Tomey at Arizona.

So much so that when Hill got the job with the Bulldogs nine years ago, he hired John Baxter, who had been Arizona's coordinator of special teams.

Last week, starting receiver Joe Fernandez, the fourth-team punt returner, took one back 72 yards for a touchdown and another receiver, Jaron Fairman, returned a blocked punt 26 yards for a score four plays apart to ignite a 40-10 victory at Idaho.

"I mean, you only play 11 or 12 games a year," Hill says, "so you might as well play your best guys and give yourself the best chance to win."

At FSU, special teams have been the "bomb."

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.