CANONSBURG — Special teams have caused a special headache for Canon McMillan football coach Tim Sohyda.

The Big Macs (0-2) come to Butler for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday, looking for their first win since taking a 19-14 verdict over the Golden Tornado in week 3 last season.

Canon McMillan began the 2011 season with losses of 19-18 to Trinity and 9-7 to Latrobe.

“Special teams have really killed us,” Sohyda said. “Against Trinity, we missed our first PAT, went for two on the second one and missed, then had a PAT blocked in a one-point loss.

“Last week, we muffed a punt on our own 3-yard line and Latrobe recovered. We set them up for an easy 3-yard drive to beat us.”

Canon McMillan was 1-8 last season, but Sohyda wasn't hired until June of that year. The Big Macs have eight starters returning on offense, including the entire offensive line.

One of those linemen — senior right tackle Joe Graziani — is sidelined with an injured hip.

“I feel like we never did get caught up with the late coaching change last year,” Sohyda said. “Now I feel like this is really my team and we have to start making things happen.”

The Big Macs are a heavy running team with 220-pound fullback Zack Soyring leading the way for 5-foot-10, 151-pound senior and first-year starter Kenyadda Brown at tailback.

Brown had a 26-yard TD last week and had 12 carries for 168 yards and a 30-yard scoring run against Trinity.

“He's a sub-4.5 guy in the 40 and he's explosive,” Sohyda said of Brown. “If he gets behind you, he's probably gone. He's been a strong corner on defense, too.

“We've been playing well defensively. We didn't allow a pass completion in one game and only gave up 180 yards of total offense.”

Sohyda lauded the play of junior noseguard Torre Carr and 6-3, 231-pound linebacker Alex Campbell.

“Alex already has eight tackles for loss, four or five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries ... By the time he's done here, he'll be able to go to any Division I school he wants,” Sohyda said. “He is a tremendous talent.”

The Big Macs' defense has been neutralized by mistakes elsewhere, however. First-year starting quarterback Matt Maletta has thrown five interceptions through two games.

“He's doing a good job in the leadership role, but he gets excited and tries forcing things at times,” Sohyda said.

The coach described the Butler game as “big for us.”

Yety he hardly expects an easy time of it.

“This is not the Butler of old I'm seeing on film,” Sohyda said. “They never showed any signs of quitting last week against North Allegheny and this is the most athletic team Butler's had in a few years.

“Our kids know we're in for a fight. We know that for a fact. At some point, we have to turn the good efforts we're getting into wins. We have a bad taste in our mouths right now.”