Kicking Game

[Pony_Fan]

For those who have the inside scoop:

How is the kicking game? Has it improved on field goals and punting?
I would hope to see some improvement in these areas as they have been pretty bad the last couple of years.

[d_pony]

"at coffee with the coach" this morning, coach bennett said that kicking game was much improve - McMurtray was very accurate (7 of 7 in the last practice - longest being 50 yards - kickoffs - higher and longer and Mentzel was punting extemely well

[SWC2010]

"at coffee with the coach" this morning, ...

he also bragged about a walkon kicker from Austin who was pushing the starters.

It appears K/P are an improvement over last season.

[The PonyGrad]

Good, that is half of the kicking game, was anything said or is there any comment on the return situation?

[couch 'em]

Just wanted to comment that I've seen the kickers practice several times during mustang band practice. Bennett isn't just blowing smoke - they really look good this year. Strong, accurate kicking and at least decent punting.

[PlanoStang]

Just wanted to comment that I've seen the kickers practice several times during mustang band practice. Bennett isn't just blowing smoke - they really look good this year. Strong, accurate kicking and at least decent punting.

Does that mean you're marching at one end of the field, and having to watch for incoming?

[stentman]

the kickers you may be watching are some invited walk-ons who started practice on 8/19--the coaches have not seen any of these kids kick since they go off on their own to practice. To the best of my knowledge, no coach has watched these kids perform. It is understandable that the coaches have more pressing problems than the kicking game, but they owe it to these kids and themselves to evaluate these hard working and talented athletes--I know they will like what they see.

[Corso]

I don't think that's true. First of all, they do work on special teams and that includes kicking. More than that, however, every practice is filmed. The way I hear it, someone charts how each kicker does each day (yards per punt, inside the 20, accuracy on FGs, long, etc.), and the coaches review it all that way. Since none of the coaches is trained in kicking mechanics, it makes sense that they focus their time at their assigned positions, and essentially let the kickers help each other. Besides, many college kickers and punters have their own coaches on the side.

[PonySnob]

Ask the coach at Northwestern how important the kicking game is - 5 missed FG's in one game.

[Corso]

No kidding. Did you see that kicker's face before he walked on the field for the last one? He looked scared to death. He had it missed before the ball was even snapped. I didn't know whether to laugh at him or feel bad for him.

[SWC2010]

the kickers you may be watching are some invited walk-ons who started practice on 8/19--the coaches have not seen any of these kids kick since they go off on their own to practice. To the best of my knowledge, no coach has watched these kids perform. It is understandable that the coaches have more pressing problems than the kicking game, but they owe it to these kids and themselves to evaluate these hard working and talented athletes--I know they will like what they see.

Sorry, stentman, but you are mistaken about walk-ons.
In addition to the three scholarship kickers, the coaches did invite a K/P for 2-a-days. I believe the kid from Austin Westlake has worked out since the beginning of August. In fact, the DMN covered that the walk-on had also made a 52-yd FG in the first scrimmage. For now, the coaches seem pleased with McMurtray & Mentzel.

Although the coaches encourage walk-ons, they do not "owe' them playing time or extra evaluations. Just like any other position, they earn time by performing well within practice sessions.

Anyone who saw the scrimmages knows our biggest issue on special teams remains to be settling on a new deep snapper.