For Georgia Southern’s kickers, last season is just that – last season.
Amnesia wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing for the heavily maligned unit which shouldered its share of blame during a disappointing 2006 season, a 3-8 campaign characterized by missed kicks and close loses.
“It was a struggle, but we are past that,” junior Patrick Bolen said following Wednesday afternoon’s practice. “It was a bad season, and we can’t go back and change that. We tried our best, and it just didn’t work out. We’ve brushed that aside and are working really hard this spring.”
First-year Georgia Southern coach Chris Hatcher is in the process of monitoring the daily progress of his kickers, who all return except for departed senior Jonathan Dudley. South Effigham’s Bolen is currently the No. 1 placekicker and will be challenged by senior Bo Galvin and a pair of walk-ons, redshirt freshman Brett Peddicord and junior transfer Jesse Hartley, who have both caught Hatcher’s eye.
Adrian Mora, an incoming freshman from Dalton, will have an opportunity to come in and play right away, as will all newcomers at every position. Snapping duties will likely be handled by Joey Tuttle and Dusty Reddick, while Dan Jordan, Jayson Foster, Chris Ashkouti and Raja Andrews could all see time as a holder.
“We are going to have a good battle, and that’ll probably go through (the season opener) Sept. 8,” said Hatcher, adding that it’s too early to make an accurate assessment of the kicking team. “We are working a whole lot of deep snappers and holders down there. We are trying to find the right combination. It’s not just the kicker, it’s that whole operation. But I have seen improvement. Today we probably kicked the ball better than we have the entire spring.”
The Eagles return veteran punter Jordan, a senior who has been limited this spring by an ankle injury. Redshirt freshman Zack Buckley, a walk-on who came to GSU as a soccer player, has also impressed Hatcher.
A year ago, Georgia Southern ranked dead last in the Southern Conference in field goals and point-after-attempts made, converting 9 of 18 field goals and 20 of 25 PATs. Prior to 2006, the Eagles’ kicking game had been a strength.
“We are definitely working to get back to that stage,” Bolen said.
The kickers have arrived at practice early and stayed late to get in extra work this spring. While consistency was clearly the problem last year, confidence, Bolen said, has never been an issue.
“Last year we had the confidence, things just didn’t work out,” he said. “We’ve got to rebound from that. We can’t jump ship or crawl into a hole. We’ve got to work our way out of it, and I think we’ve all done that this spring. We all can get the job done if called upon.”
Slow start, strong finish
The Eagles started Wednesday afternoon’s practice a little slow but finished strong even though their execution wasn’t quite up to par.
“The grind is starting to set in a little bit right now,” Hatcher said. “But we were hustling and flying around to the football better than we have the past couple practices, so that is one positive to take away from today.”
Eagle Athletics Fest set for Saturday
Immediately following Saturday morning’s scrimmage, the public is invited to tour the Parrish Football Center and meet Hatcher and his staff as part of Eagle Athletics Fest. The annual Clements Crazies tailgate will begin at noon outside baseball’s J.I. Clements stadium while the Eagles prepare for a 1:30 p.m. game with SoCon foe the College of Charleston. Hatcher will throw out the first pitch.
Eagles ask for no cameras at practice
Fans attending football practice are not allowed to take pictures or shoot video while practice is in session. Those wanting to take pictures may do so after the workout is over.
Alex Pellegrino can be reached at (912) 489-9413.
Amnesia wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing for the heavily maligned unit which shouldered its share of blame during a disappointing 2006 season, a 3-8 campaign characterized by missed kicks and close loses.
“It was a struggle, but we are past that,” junior Patrick Bolen said following Wednesday afternoon’s practice. “It was a bad season, and we can’t go back and change that. We tried our best, and it just didn’t work out. We’ve brushed that aside and are working really hard this spring.”
First-year Georgia Southern coach Chris Hatcher is in the process of monitoring the daily progress of his kickers, who all return except for departed senior Jonathan Dudley. South Effigham’s Bolen is currently the No. 1 placekicker and will be challenged by senior Bo Galvin and a pair of walk-ons, redshirt freshman Brett Peddicord and junior transfer Jesse Hartley, who have both caught Hatcher’s eye.
Adrian Mora, an incoming freshman from Dalton, will have an opportunity to come in and play right away, as will all newcomers at every position. Snapping duties will likely be handled by Joey Tuttle and Dusty Reddick, while Dan Jordan, Jayson Foster, Chris Ashkouti and Raja Andrews could all see time as a holder.
“We are going to have a good battle, and that’ll probably go through (the season opener) Sept. 8,” said Hatcher, adding that it’s too early to make an accurate assessment of the kicking team. “We are working a whole lot of deep snappers and holders down there. We are trying to find the right combination. It’s not just the kicker, it’s that whole operation. But I have seen improvement. Today we probably kicked the ball better than we have the entire spring.”
The Eagles return veteran punter Jordan, a senior who has been limited this spring by an ankle injury. Redshirt freshman Zack Buckley, a walk-on who came to GSU as a soccer player, has also impressed Hatcher.
A year ago, Georgia Southern ranked dead last in the Southern Conference in field goals and point-after-attempts made, converting 9 of 18 field goals and 20 of 25 PATs. Prior to 2006, the Eagles’ kicking game had been a strength.
“We are definitely working to get back to that stage,” Bolen said.
The kickers have arrived at practice early and stayed late to get in extra work this spring. While consistency was clearly the problem last year, confidence, Bolen said, has never been an issue.
“Last year we had the confidence, things just didn’t work out,” he said. “We’ve got to rebound from that. We can’t jump ship or crawl into a hole. We’ve got to work our way out of it, and I think we’ve all done that this spring. We all can get the job done if called upon.”
Slow start, strong finish
The Eagles started Wednesday afternoon’s practice a little slow but finished strong even though their execution wasn’t quite up to par.
“The grind is starting to set in a little bit right now,” Hatcher said. “But we were hustling and flying around to the football better than we have the past couple practices, so that is one positive to take away from today.”
Eagle Athletics Fest set for Saturday
Immediately following Saturday morning’s scrimmage, the public is invited to tour the Parrish Football Center and meet Hatcher and his staff as part of Eagle Athletics Fest. The annual Clements Crazies tailgate will begin at noon outside baseball’s J.I. Clements stadium while the Eagles prepare for a 1:30 p.m. game with SoCon foe the College of Charleston. Hatcher will throw out the first pitch.
Eagles ask for no cameras at practice
Fans attending football practice are not allowed to take pictures or shoot video while practice is in session. Those wanting to take pictures may do so after the workout is over.
Alex Pellegrino can be reached at (912) 489-9413.
