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Kick Coverage, Week 0
Welcome to the first weekly Kick Coverage update. As a general college football fan, Week 0 feels like a big, mean cocktease. As a first-time (well, since grade school) college football blogger guy thing, it’s a welcome ease-in to me figuring out what the hell I’m doing.
If I ever miss something cool, let me know in the comments.
Kicker of the Week:
Wyatt Bryan was called upon three times on Saturday and made as many field goals in Colorado State’s 58-27 rout of Oregon State. The junior left head coach Mike Bobo with no regrets about recently awarding him a full scholarship, nailing the week’s longest FG in all of kicker nation, a 41-yarder from the right hash (click the video to jump straight to it).
[stag_video src=”https://youtu.be/mpC0JAJFU9k?t=1h45s”]
Bryan’s earlier successful attempts were from 23 and 25. The Larkspur, Colorado native went 11/14 in 2016.
Extra Points:
1. Bryce Crawford and the rest of San Jose State had a rough Saturday against South Florida. After putting the day’s first score on the board with a 34-yard, Crawford had two PATs blocked in the Spartans’ come-from-ahead loss.
2. Stanford sophomore Jet Toner no doubt impressed Aussie Rules scouts (I know that joke doesn’t exactly land but it’s all I got) during his busy day down under. In addition to a 2/2 FG mark (from 40 and 34), Toner hit all 8 PATs in the Cardinal’s 62-7 drying out of Rice.
3. Speaking of Aussies, a 29-yard make from sophomore Ryan Meskell pulled Hawaii within five late in the fourth quarter against UMass. The Rainbow Warriors would eventually score in the game’s final minute, giving them a three-point victory. For the former semi-pro soccer goalkeeper, it was his first official FG attempt and make in American football. No word how is ha’a is coming along.
Week 1 Kicker Matchup To Watch:
Andy Pappanastos and/or J.K. Scott and/or Joseph Bulovas (Alabama)
VS.
Ricky Aguayo (Florida St.)
6-2, 196 lbs
Sophomore
Mascotte, FL
Kohl’s Ranking: #3, Class of 2016
This Season: 0-0
Career: 19/26 (73.1%): 0-0 (1-19); 5-5 (20-29); 30-39 (7-7); 40-49 (7-13); 50+ (0-1)
Longest make: 47
The Predecessor versus an Unknown Debutant, Punter, and/or True Freshman. Nick Saban had three kickers listed on the depth chart he put out Monday, and some seem to think it will be a platoon situation with Scott taking the kickoffs and long field goals, Pappanastos handling the shorter ones, and Bulovas only taking the field if Bama has a sizable lead. Scott has been the Tide’s punter since 2014, but was recruited as a three-star kicker and allegedly just missed a 73-yarder in high school. Pappanastos transferred to Alabama as a redshirt junior ahead of the 2016 season from Ole Miss. In Oxford he appeared in just three games, taking a few PATs, a kickoff, and missing his lone FG opportunity.
Aguayo on the other hand, we know all about. ‘I Water’ (as his name translates into English) is the younger brother of one Roberto, current Chicago Bears kicker and one of the greatest the NCAA has ever seen. After going 6-6 in FGs in the season opener, Aguayo had some struggles in 2016, including having his final kick of the season (a PAT) blocked and returned for a safety in the Orange Bowl.
If both defenses are as good as advertised we should have plenty of opportunities to see not two, not three, but maybe four or even five kickers in action. Being played in Atlanta United’s fancy new home, it will also be good conditions for some long trys.
Kicker Survivor Leaderboard Through Week 0:
Two have already left us on Kicker Survivor island. That’s about 1% less the amount of stats I have to look up from here on out.
[table id=4 /]
Long Ball Leaderboard Through Week 0:
After 0 weeks of football, Bryan is the early favorite to win both the Groza as well as the coveted Longballer of the Year title. Can he go wire to wire?
[table id=3 /]
Game Winners:
None, yet.
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