Va Tech's kicker vs Iowa States

[Rural]

If you have an offense that is going to struggle to put the ball in the end zone (as our's has for at least the last 3 years), you need a kicker's who's almost automatic from about 50 and in. I know you can't just snap your fingers and find that guy, but it's a critical need for our team.

3? On and mostly off for forever or at least back to the real Luther Blue.

 

[Cybyassociation]

Outside of FG %, our kicking has been effective. Lots of touchbacks, and we run beautiful onsides. Those two things have helped us win, no doubt about it.

But look no further than 2004/2005 to see that a chip shot field goal here or there would have likely meant ISU was playing for the Big 12 title.

I agree that games are won and lost as a team, but games also come down to a handful of plays. When someone fails to execute on one of those plays, it likely costs the game.

Another thing that really goes unnoticed is the connection between snapper and holder. I dont remember which game it was but it seemed like every snap/hold was crap and they ended up missing a critical kick because of it (laces out Finkle). Might have been Stanford. I'm not saying that has been ISU's problem at all, just another thing that plays a factor in the kicking game.

In my mind, you look at all of the games this past week that have been won or lost due to a kick, there is nearly always another play in that game that was key in determining the outcome of the game. For instance, last night: Va Tech had countless missed opportunities to stop Michigan. They had countless opportunities to convert. They did not execute and so it came down to the kicker.

 

[3TrueFans]

I dont remember which game it was but it seemed like every snap/hold was crap and they ended up missing a critical kick because of it (laces out Finkle). Might have been Stanford. I'm not saying that has been ISU's problem at all, just another thing that plays a factor in the kicking game.

It was the overtime kick for Stanford I believe.

 

[Rural]

There was a 99% chance Virginia Tech would have lead 9-0 at halftime if they take the chipshot instead of being stopped on 4th down.

That's a 13 point difference from what ended up happening (Michigan with a luck-*** TD and gift FG).

Hard to blame the kicker when you didn't use him when it counted the most.

 

[Cybyassociation]

We need improvement at this positition, big time.

However, I can't think of any games that kicking cost us this year, so that, in a way, is improvement.

To go back to this, I think what ISU really needs is stability. Not just in a kicker and in the kicking game, but also in coaching. This is all my opinion, but ISU really does not have a kicking coach, or a coach that knows a lot about the mechanics or the kicking position. I think even just bringing in Jamie Kohl once or twice a week would be beneficial.

 

[Al_4_State]

Another thing that really goes unnoticed is the connection between snapper and holder. I dont remember which game it was but it seemed like every snap/hold was crap and they ended up missing a critical kick because of it (laces out Finkle). Might have been Stanford. I'm not saying that has been ISU's problem at all, just another thing that plays a factor in the kicking game.

In my mind, you look at all of the games this past week that have been won or lost due to a kick, there is nearly always another play in that game that was key in determining the outcome of the game. For instance, last night: Va Tech had countless missed opportunities to stop Michigan. They had countless opportunities to convert. They did not execute and so it came down to the kicker.

The right holder is KEY (think we lose the Nebraska game with Beuker holding last year?). There are always a lot of moving parts. However, the most painful missed kicks in ISU history came at the foot of one of the most (if not THE most) accurate kickers in school history. Just like everyone else on the field, they have to do their job too.

To go back to this, I think what ISU really needs is stability. Not just in a kicker and in the kicking game, but also in coaching. This is all my opinion, but ISU really does not have a kicking coach, or a coach that knows a lot about the mechanics or the kicking position. I think even just bringing in Jamie Kohl once or twice a week would be beneficial.

Some good ideas here. I've always wondered why we didn't make more of an effort to have Kohl involved here (maybe we do?).

 

[Cybyassociation]

The right holder is KEY (think we lose the Nebraska game with Beuker holding last year?). There are always a lot of moving parts. However, the most painful missed kicks in ISU history came at the foot of one of the most (if not THE most) accurate kickers in school history. Just like everyone else on the field, they have to do their job too.



Some good ideas here. I've always wondered why we didn't make more of an effort to have Kohl involved here (maybe we do?).

Oh absolutely. I was just speaking in generalities and giving examples from what I've seen just in this bowl season. Something else to think about. Everyone is praising the fact that our kickers are graduating, no one is mentioning that Dakota Zimmerman (who I believe has the record for most consecutive starts in ISU history at 50) is also graduating. Dakota has been an absolute ROCK the past 4 years. Who fills that void? Bueker was originally going to bulk back up to take over snapping duties, but he's done an excellent job this year and I believe is going to keep his holding duties next season.

 

[CyJack13]

Another thing that really goes unnoticed is the connection between snapper and holder. I dont remember which game it was but it seemed like every snap/hold was crap and they ended up missing a critical kick because of it (laces out Finkle). Might have been Stanford. I'm not saying that has been ISU's problem at all, just another thing that plays a factor in the kicking game.

In my mind, you look at all of the games this past week that have been won or lost due to a kick, there is nearly always another play in that game that was key in determining the outcome of the game. For instance, last night: Va Tech had countless missed opportunities to stop Michigan. They had countless opportunities to convert. They did not execute and so it came down to the kicker.

The MSU holder in the Outback Bowl did a terrific job. He saved two bad snaps and basically saved the game for the Spartans in OT.

 

[ISUCubswin]

For those who haven't seen Netten, the kid will be great for us. I've seen him a few times in high school games. His power is pretty impressive - not Mahoney but better than Guyer in the next four years. His accuracy is better then we've had in a long time.

 

[Cybyassociation]

For some reason I thought Grinells kicker was walking on also. That kid has a massive leg. Dont recall how many, but I know he has kicked multiple 50+ last season. Granted that was with a tee, but I would take it.