We are reaching the home stretch of our summer countdown series which means we’re just a few short weeks away from football season! #5 on our list of 10 things to know for the 2014 football season is the kicking game situation.
Lunsford struggled throughout much of the 2013 season
After a very successful freshman campaign in 2012, 2013 preseason 1st-team all-Big South selection John Lunsford struggled through much of his 2nd season. He made just 8 of his 19 field goal attempts in 2013, a noticeable drop from his 8-for-12 performance in 2012. He obviously has the leg, but has he been able to rebound mentally to improve on his accuracy?
Lunsford also faces a 2 game suspension to start the season. Who will fill in for Lunsford at the start of the season? Good question. Shane Blanchard is the most likely answer. Blanchard, a senior, has appeared in just 2 games for the Flames. He is yet to attempt a field goal and is just 6-for-6 on PATs. Coach Gill also brought in Avery Echols, a true freshman, from Zealand, Michigan who will compete for the starting job.
Compounding matters, the Flames will also have to replace Grant Bowden at punter. Trey Turner is the only punter listed on the roster. The redshirt-freshman ended spring practice #1 on the depth chart at punter. Lunsford will also likely be Turner’s backup at punter this season. Turner did not start punting until his junior year of high school, and he averaged nearly 42 yards per punt as a senior at Rome High School in Rome, Georgia.
New Special Teams Coordinator Jamaal Fobbs definitely has his work cut out for him with the kicking game this season.
Previous entries:
10. Monmouth joins Big South
9. How good can LU’s offense be?
8. Chance to impress Sun Belt against App State
7. Chima Uzowihe
6. Replacing Kevin Fogg and Walt Aikens
