Many people believe that a NFL team or NCAAF team would do just fine without a good kicker. In some cases this may be true, for example Mississippi is only 10/14 (71%), yet they have only lost two games and will most likely still be ranked in the top 10 after this week. However in most cases this is not true, this post will explain how a good kicker can not only transform the outcome of a game, but a whole season.
Some kickers may be good most of the time, but not when it matters. In last nights Florida vs. Florida State game Florida kicker Austin Hardin went 4/6 kicking field goals. Those two missed field goals add up too six points Florida could of had. The final score to that game was 24-19, Florida would have won if those field goals had gone in. Had Florida won that would have been a major upset. Florida very possibly would not be in the top four after a loss and therefore would most likely not make the four team playoff.
Not only can a kicker effect a game but also a season. In this case it is not only a kicker, it is three kickers. Mike Knoll, Alex Howell and Joey Launceford. These 3 combined to go 11/18 (61%) kicking field goals. They also went a pathetic 32/38 (84.2%) on extra points. For crying out loud North Carolina who kicked 50% on field goals were 12% more efficient on extra points than the eagles. Four of the six extra points were missed by Launceford, who made 100% of the field goals he attempted. Each of the other kickers missed one extra point.
Now, how did this terrible kicking lead to a season worse than it could have been? Well that's simple. It all starts back in week 2 vs. Pittsburgh. The final of the game was 30-20 Pitt. BC kicker Alex Howell missed a 46 yard field goal in the first quarter. If that field goal was made the game BC would have been down 7 points with 43 seconds left and only 55 yards for a touchdown. Had they been down only one possession opposed to two they would have had more time to work with and may not have thrown an interception. They could have gone on to win the game.
Their kicking woes continued week 5 vs Colorado State. They would lose the game 24-21, and of course Howell missed a 44 yard field goal in the second quarter. Three weeks later BC went on to play #24 Clemson. The final score to the game was 17-13 Clemson. In the fourth quarter Mike Knoll missed an extra point putting BC up 13-10 opposed to 14-10. Clemson scored a few minutes later going up by four. With less than a minute left BC could have attempted a 48 yard field goal but instead opted to go for it because a field goal would not have tied it and they needed a touchdown. Had they hit the extra point and then went on to kick that field goal they could have upset Clemson.
Last weekend unbeaten Florida State beat BC 20-17. Alex Howell missed a go ahead field goal late. Florida St. then marched down the field and kicker Roberto Aguayo (only missed 2 field goals all year) hit a go ahead field goal to seal the deal.
That is four of BC's five losses that potentially could have been won. That could have mad BC's recors 11-1 which would have been good to win the ACC Atlantic and they'd be playing for the ACC Championship next week against Georgia Tech and potentially in the running for a National Title.
So you see, kickers are people too.
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