Kicking

[Aclone]

Just since this is a bye week, I’ll toss this out there.

Given Assalleys struggles this past week (not counting the block) and apparent lack of range, does anyone think that CMC might shake up the kicking game against Tech? Maybe trot yet another true freshman out there?

I seem to recall that Narveson missed some reps in camp due to illness or a nagging injury. I’d think he’d be back in full swing (pun intended) by now.

 

[JHUNSY]

I feel like that'd be a case of major recency bias and would really rattle a kicker's mindset.

I don't see a need to change it up, he's been solid every other time we've called on him from what I can remember this season, right?

 

[CyCloned]

I think that he needs to rethink any kicks over 35 yards out. Either go for it on 4th or try someone that is maybe not as accurate, but can at least get it there. That 40 yard attempt on Saturday was pretty anemic.

 

[legi]

Does anyone know what Assalley’s realistic range is on FGs? That kick that was short could be a case of simply not connecting fully. Not much sample size to say he doesn’t have a strong leg, right?

 

[cdface]

As far as the block goes, I'm not too worried. Our linemen just didn't react fast enough and let the defenders jump right over them (had to watch a couple of times to make sure it was even legal, which I'm still not totally sure about). Either way that's coachable.

 

[3TrueFans]

Someone get the Kickin for Chicken guy's number, Manuel I think his name was.

 

[intrepid27]

IMO i's not the kicker. I'ts the protection. Kick protection was suspect at OSU and flat terrible against W Va.

 

[bozclone]

Yep, I would bench him since he mis-hit one kick. Zero tolerance.

 

[BoxsterCy]

IMO i's not the kicker. I'ts the protection. Kick protection was suspect at OSU and flat terrible against W Va.

He had hit 8 of 8 before Saturday. Not sure about his range outside of 40 but he's been money on shorter stuff and those kicks did not look weak to me. His miss was his only really bad kick. The block counts as a miss but that's on the line, it's not like he kicked it low into the line, they just got totally blown up.

 

[Aclone]

Yep, I would bench him since he mis-hit one kick. Zero tolerance.

Apparently you didn’t watch the game. Or see a box score. Or can’t count.

One of the above.

 

[khardbored]

Seems like he's automatic under 30 yards. Maybe 35.

Over 35, perhaps re-evaluate, or go for it. Don't think we need a new kicker.

 

[wcamnclone]

The kick he was short on was also going into the wind. Not that is the total excuse for being well short, but could be a combination of not fully connecting and going into the wind. Was the same direction as WVU's shanked punts.

 

[Al_4_State]

You don’t pull him yet. He was perfect up until then and kicking perfection isn’t attainable. Hopefully he got it out of his system.

 

[Cyclonepride]

He’s been tremendous this year. Just had a rough game. Doesn’t look to have a lot of range, but it could have been just that kick (may have tried to get some height after just having one blocked).

Certainly has a better track record than many of our kickers over the years.

 

[dualthreat]

I'm not going to make an opinion on whether to start him or sit him, I'm just going to say that the coaches message needs to remain the same this week as it has been all season.

If every week of practice it's truly an open competition that Assalley has won, then you continue that open competition. If Assalley won the job in August and the job is his, then I definitely wouldn't bench him now.

Just be consistent as a coach. Don't change your message. If you have to change your message mid-season, you probably started with the wrong message to begin with.

 

[ComCY]

I think that he needs to rethink any kicks over 35 yards out. Either go for it on 4th or try someone that is maybe not as accurate, but can at least get it there. That 40 yard attempt on Saturday was pretty anemic.

FWIW, that kick was directly into the wind. All kicks going that way (including kickoffs) were much shorter than the other direction.

 

[burn587]

On the 47 yarder it looked like he had the range to make 43. Anything over 40 I would let Francis try or just go for it on 4th.

 

[hoosman]

The wind was a factor on punting too. It wasn’t noticeable in the stands or in the goalpost flags.

 

[cyclones500]

He was perfect on field goals and extra points thru 5 games. Hopefully, WVU game is only an outlier. The blocked FG is mostly on the linemen's shoulders (no way to know if he would've converted the kick if it wasn't blocked). Missed PAT actually irritated me more than the field goal misses.

 

[bozclone]

Apparently you didn’t watch the game. Or see a box score. Or can’t count.

One of the above.

Point is the kid has been money all year and you are ready to bench him. Over and over again, CMC has shown that he plays the best guy. If he feel another kicker is better he will make the change, but I don't think a couple of kicks will be the deciding factor.