A good kicker solves a lot of problems. An inconsistent one makes everyone anxious, particularly late in tight games.
The Pac-10 will feature two of the best kickers in the nation -- two Lou Groza Award winners, no less -- in 2010, but for a handful of schools, the position is questionable.
So, who stands where?
Great shape
The Pac-10 will feature two of the best kickers in the nation -- two Lou Groza Award winners, no less -- in 2010, but for a handful of schools, the position is questionable.
So, who stands where?
Great shape
- UCLA: Kai Forbath is the best kicker in the country. The first-team All-American and 2009 Groza Award winner is practically automatic, even outside 50 yards.
- Arizona State: Thomas Weber suffered through a lost 2009 season because of injuries, but when healthy the 2007 Groza Award winner is a potential All-American.
- Oregon State: Justin Kahut earned second-team All-Pac-10 honors in 2009 after converting 22 of 27 field goals with a long of 50 yards.
- Washington: Erik Folk bounced back from two injury-plagued years to connect on 18 of 21 field goals in 2009.
- Stanford: Nate Whitaker made 16 of 22 field goals last year, which is solid, but his 54-yarder against Wake Forest was the longest in the conference last season.
- Arizona: As a sophomore, Alex Zendejas was true on 17 of 22 field goals with a long of 47 yards.
- California: Cal used two kickers last season -- Giorgio Tavecchio and Vincenzo D'Amato -- but neither was consistent.
- Washington State: Nico Grasu was solid in 2008 -- booting the game-winner in the "Crapple" Cup against Washington -- but he faded in 2009, missing the final four games with a thigh injury.
- Oregon: The Ducks are replacing the reliable Morgan Flint. Rob Beard and incoming freshman Alejandro Maldonado are the top candidates for the spot.
- USC: Unproven seniors Joe Houston and Jacob Harfman are competing to replace Jordan Congdon, the seventh-best kicker in the conference in 2009.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Ted Miller
Miller has been covering college football since 1997, starting with Auburn and then heading West to Washington and the Pac-10. His columns for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer won first place in 2007 APSE Best Writing contest. The Atlanta native and University of Richmond graduate presently lives with his wife in Scottsdale, Ariz.
PAC-10 SCOREBOARD
Thursday, 9/2
Friday, 9/3
Saturday, 9/4
Final UCLA 22 Kansas State 31 Final New Mexico 0 11 Oregon 72 Final UC Davis 3 California 52 Final Sacramento State 17 Stanford 52 Final Washington State 17 Oklahoma State 65 Final Washington 17 Brigham Young 23 Final 24 Oregon State 21 6 TCU 30 Final Portland State 9 Arizona State 54
