[jcmanson]

Kickers
49 Matt Bevins Fr 6’2” 185
47 Mike Larsson Fr 5’10” 170
36 Matt Pennington Fr 5’10” 180
39 Ben Shipps R-Fr 6’0” 130
40 Paul Young So 6’2” 180
38 David Drake R-Jr 5’10” 180

Returners
84 Jonathan Crawford Sr 6’0” 215
24 Ryan Greiser Sr 6’1” 205
2 Patrick Calvary Sr 5’9” 180
7 Zach Terrell 6’0” 200
87 Mark Blakeney R-Fr 6’2” 200
9 Dominic Bolden Sr 5’10” 180

Another question mark coming into the season was the kicking game. Mike Larrson who is a freshman walk-on will be our punter to start the season and Rocco seems rather high on him. Freshman Matt Bevins will handle the kickoff duties and long-range field goals. Paul Young currently is the favorite to be the extra point and field goal kicker.
As for the return game, Bolden returns and will probably be our punt returner and one of the kickoff return specialists. Jonathan Crawford will also see time as a punt returner and don’t be surprised if you see Mike Brown returning a few punts this year. Bolden and Zach Terrell are the favorites to be our kickoff returners with Ryan Greiser and Mark Blakeney also looking for time there.

Our kicking game may not be as strong as it was last year, but hopefully it will not cost us any games and if given the opportunity hopefully it will win us a game or two. We should still be very dangerous in the return game with Bolden, Crawford, Terrell and others.

[SuperJon]

Our kicking game may not be as strong as it was last year

What basis do you have for that? Not blasting you, just asking. It just seems like a negative way of looking at things from Mr. Positive.

[jcmanson]

You guys always call me “mr. positive” or kool-aid drinker, but if you go back and look at most of my predictions they were pretty dead on. I don’t know where this “mr. positive” stuff came from.

As for that statement, it’s not a negative view it’s realistic. We lose our starting punter and starting kicker both of whom had record-setting or near record-setting seasons. Any team who lost that would expect to not have as great of a year in the kicking game the following year. Also, it’s not like we’re turning to kids who have been in a program for a year +, they’re all newcomers. They may end up being VERY good, but it’s still a question mark until they prove what they can do in “primetime.”

[Cider Jim]

Our kicking game may not be as strong as it was last year

What basis do you have for that?

Didn't we have an ACC kicker last year from UVA? Maybe Manson was referring to that.

[Rocketfan]

You guys always call me “mr. positive” or kool-aid drinker, but if you go back and look at most of my predictions they were pretty dead on. I don’t know where this “mr. positive” stuff came from.

As for that statement, it’s not a negative view it’s realistic. We lose our starting punter and starting kicker both of whom had record-setting or near record-setting seasons. Any team who lost that would expect to not have as great of a year in the kicking game the following year. Also, it’s not like we’re turning to kids who have been in a program for a year +, they’re all newcomers. They may end up being VERY good, but it’s still a question mark until they prove what they can do in “primetime.”

Didn't you say in the basketball thread you dont' judge anyone until you see them on the court....now your saying they are a question mark until the can do it in "primetime" ?

What predictions are you referring to specifically?

[jcmanson]

Didn't you say in the basketball thread you dont' judge anyone until you see them on the court....now your saying they are a question mark until the can do it in "primetime" ?

Yes, I said that. This is true for both football and basketball. All unproven incomers are question marks until they can do it in "primetime", I have never said in the basketball forum that any freshman would be an all star or an immediate answer for us. The same is true for football. Until they prove what they can do they are question marks. That goes for both positive and negative remarks, but as fans we should hope and expect for the best. I said when talking about these kickers that hopefully they will not cost us any games, and if given the chance actually win us a game or two. Nothing was negative about that, just stating the fact that we aren't a known commodity in the kicking game this year, and last year we had a terrific year in this area. Therefore, "our kicking game may not be as strong as it was last year."

What predictions are you referring to specifically?

I'll look them up and show you after lunch.

[RagingTireFire]

Our kicking game may not be as strong as it was last year

What basis do you have for that?

Didn't we have an ACC kicker last year from UVA? Maybe Manson was referring to that.

Correction: we had a kicker on the roster from an ACC school. Before he got to Liberty, Greenbaum had all of 1 extra point to his college career. I feel confident that whoever we line up against NGU Saturday night will equal or surpass that within the first 10 minutes.