When it comes to setting the tone, Jimmie Ward is always in business.

Through 14 career games as an NIU safety, the sophomore has made a habit out of blocking punts. He struck again Saturday night.

Ward blocked Kolin Ward’s punt on the first possession of the game, allowing Courtney Stephen to run for paydirt. As Stephen returned the block, Ward lowered the boom on an Army player with a bone-rattling block.

Tone set.

It was Ward’s fourth career blocked punt and sent the crowd of 16,000-plus into a frenzy. It was also the start NIU needed out of its special teams, which was like Jekyll and Hyde in 2010.

On one hand, the Huskies blocked six punts in 2010, a school record. They set records for PATs in a season and kicker Michael Cklamovski also set a single-season record for points scored by kicking (106).

On the other, the Huskies were just 59-of-67 kicking PATs (88 percent) and 19-of-30 (63 percent) in field goal attempts.

Saturday was a solid game for the special teams. Mathew Sims was a perfect 7-of-7 kicking PATs, while redshirt junior Ryan Neir was good punting the ball. In his NIU debut, Neir punted twice for an average of 37 yards. His longest traveled 40 yards and dropped one punt inside the 20-yard line.

If the Huskies can continue their special teams performance throughout the 2011 season, this team will be in good shape. Leaving points on the field can come back and bite a team in close games. NIU left 41 on the field in 2010.

What the special teams does best for the Huskies though, is leave the offense in favorable position. Tommy Davis is a threat to return every kick or punt he sees, or at very least cross the 50 on his return. As proved Saturday night, the Huskies are a threat to swat a punt at anytime and put points up in the process.

With the block master, Ward, in charge the Huskies’ special teams are in good hands. Saturday was a good step in setting the tone for what their season might look like.