What has happened to Brantner?

**CyCloned** · 11-08-2009, 08:52 AM

For the last two years he has been the only guy that every week fans could point at and say, this guy gets it done. Yesterday he had 3 horrible punts, last week a couple more.

**Cyclonepride** · 11-08-2009, 08:55 AM

I believe they were all into the wind.

**clone2011** · 11-08-2009, 08:57 AM

I don't know what happened to him on the one that he shanked and gave OSU field position around ISU's 45, but the ones kicked toward the North just absolutely died in the wind. Was talking to a player last night who said there was almost zero wind on field level, but if you looked at the flags on top of the stadium, the wind was definitely stronger up there.

Probably the reason why Mahoney's kickoffs in the second half weren't the high, arching normal ones but were flatter almost sidewinders to avoid the wind. OSU's kicker probably has a pretty strong leg, but the wind helped him boot his first half kicks (toward the south) through the endzone.

**usedcarguy** · 11-08-2009, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by clone2011

I don't know what happened to him on the one that he shanked and gave OSU field position around ISU's 45, but the ones kicked toward the North just absolutely died in the wind. Was talking to a player last night who said there was almost zero wind on field level, but if you looked at the flags on top of the stadium, the wind was definitely stronger up there.

Probably the reason why Mahoney's kickoffs in the second half weren't the high, arching normal ones but were flatter almost sidewinders to avoid the wind. OSU's kicker probably has a pretty strong leg, but the wind helped him boot his first half kicks (toward the south) through the endzone.

Brantner's kicks into the wind during warmups were fine. There must be some sort of kicking virus going around.

**jbhtexas** · 11-08-2009, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by usedcarguy

Brantner's kicks into the wind during warmups were fine. There must be some sort of kicking virus going around.

It might have helped a little bit if OSU punter caught it, but he seemed to be immune...

**Cybyassociation** · 11-08-2009, 02:16 PM

I'm not sure whats up with this board being kicking Nazi's. Brandtner has been stellar for the better part of his career, he has a bad game and a few bad punts here and there and all of a sudden something must be wrong with him? How about this is wrong with him: The team hasnt seen the red zone in 2 of the past 3 games and has only scored 3 tds. This means that he is punting a lot more and from spots on the field that are a bit more difficult. Didnt he pin two of his punts last night inside of the 10 yardline? Thats pretty damn good if you ask me.

**temperflare** · 11-08-2009, 02:22 PM

We sucked in every phase of the game, Brandtner doesn't need to be singled out. As a team, we got outplayed. Period.

Brandtner is a key reason why we were able to beat Nebraska in Lincoln.

**BEACHBUM** · 11-08-2009, 02:39 PM

We sucked in every phase of the game

+1
The way things were going, Brantner was our only sign of defense. He was giving short fields to prevent OSU from racking up even more yards against us. Which of course in the end, did not work. That is the first televised game of ISU in which I turned the channel.

**pyrocyz** · 11-08-2009, 02:53 PM

They may have had him kicking away from Cox...did you think of that???

**CyCloned** · 11-08-2009, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by Cybyassociation

I'm not sure whats up with this board being kicking Nazi's. Brandtner has been stellar for the better part of his career, he has a bad game and a few bad punts here and there and all of a sudden something must be wrong with him? How about this is wrong with him: The team hasnt seen the red zone in 2 of the past 3 games and has only scored 3 tds. This means that he is punting a lot more and from spots on the field that are a bit more difficult. Didnt he pin two of his punts last night inside of the 10 yardline? Thats pretty damn good if you ask me.

Oh, I am sorry, I guess it is prefectly fine with you that he kicked a 22 yard punt into a 10 MPH wind and later a 28 yard punt. Yes, he had a couple very nice punts later in the game, but really, the bad ones were very easy kicks. He didn't have to worry about kicking it to a corner or anything.

Clearly it isn't his fault ISU lost, but he has shank several punts this year, more than any prior year.

**IcSyU** · 11-08-2009, 06:06 PM

19, 22, and 28 yard punts are inexcusable regardless. We could've pulled someone out of the crowd to do that. He punted from our 26 and OSU got the ball at our 45. That should NEVER happen. Ever. I don't care how strong the wind is. Quarterbacks adjust, so should kickers.

**Wesley** · 11-08-2009, 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by pyrocyz

They may have had him kicking away from Cox...did you think of that???

That was a mistake with three 20 yard punts.

**Cybyassociation** · 11-08-2009, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by CyCloned

Oh, I am sorry, I guess it is prefectly fine with you that he kicked a 22 yard punt into a 10 MPH wind and later a 28 yard punt. Yes, he had a couple very nice punts later in the game, but really, the bad ones were very easy kicks. He didn't have to worry about kicking it to a corner or anything.

Clearly it isn't his fault ISU lost, but he has shank several punts this year, more than any prior year.

Youre right, pull him and put in the back up...wait...back up?

Mike is averaging 40.9 yards/punt on the year. Of the 48 punts he as kicked, 19 have been returned. Thats 60% of the kicks being waived off as a fair catch. The 19 returns average 6 yards/return. You can say, "great job coverage team!" or you can look at it as, "Mike's punts have consistent hang time that allows the coverage team time to get down and cover the punts."

So he has shanked a few punts. His average this year is less than one yard shorter than his best year by average (last year was his best). So statistically, he is performing nearly identically as his best year even with a crappy game. He has kept us in many games, given us opportunities to win games, and with the exception of last nights game, is quite possibly the most consistent player on ISU's roster. Yet people want to throw him under the bus and criticize him.

**Cybyassociation** · 11-08-2009, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by IcSyU

19, 22, and 28 yard punts are inexcusable regardless. We could've pulled someone out of the crowd to do that. He punted from our 26 and OSU got the ball at our 45. That should NEVER happen. Ever. I don't care how strong the wind is. Quarterbacks adjust, so should kickers.

Got eligibility left? That kind of **** makes me sick. Youre probably right, its just as easy as getting out there and kicking the ball around right?

**Jnecker4cy** · 11-08-2009, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by IcSyU

19, 22, and 28 yard punts are inexcusable regardless. We could've pulled someone out of the crowd to do that. He punted from our 26 and OSU got the ball at our 45. That should NEVER happen. Ever. I don't care how strong the wind is. Quarterbacks adjust, so should kickers.

Even Kickers have bad days, our punter may very well be the only Cyclone to be picked in this years NFL draft, so cut him some slack.