This is the 29th in a 33-day series about Penn State football program leading up to the Blue-White Game on April 20. Click here for past installments in the series.
Penn State placekicker Sam Ficken’s reputation with some fans is likely unearned. Much like former quarterback Matt McGloin’s interception frenzy against Florida in the Outback Bowl, Ficken’s 1-for-5 outing against Virginia early last season isn’t entirely indicative of his true talent.
Over the first five games of the year Ficken struggled hitting only 2-of-8 field goals and was an unspoken reason for Penn State’s eagerness to use all four downs to its advantage. Despite a solid high school resume, Ficken was struggling to get it going again.
Just like a basketball player getting out of a shooting slump, Ficken turned it around, hitting 12-of-13 field goal attempts to end the year. His current 10 straight field goal streak extends over five games and includes two separate games of three made field goals. While fans may look back at Ficken’s performance against Virginia with the fear it may return, a look at history and Ficken’s final five games may tell a less daunting story.
“I’ve built on that in the offseason, and getting my fundamentals like perfect, my mechanics perfect,” Ficken said last week. “I’m kicking as best as I’ve ever had.”
Interestingly enough, Kevin Kelly, one of Penn State’s more respected kickers, made 16 field goals in 23 attempts his freshman season, not a far cry from Ficken’s 14-of-21 output.
For Ficken the biggest key will be consistency and good start to the season, something he focuses on at every practice.
“I can kick it a little bit farther; I’ve gotten stronger, and I’ve shortened my steps down and kind of taken out that room for error that I’ve kind of struggled with,” he said.
A more reliable Ficken could mean more field goals in 2013 a year after Penn State’s offense frequently stayed on the field on fourth downs. Does that mean Penn State coach Bill O’Brien will always opt for the field goal? Not necessarily.
“I think he’s going to help our team more than he did last year,” O’Brien said. “Fourth down comes down to where it is on the field, how many yards you need for the first down, what the situation is in the game, and it just kind of happened to fall right last year where we had a lot of fourth-and-threes, fourth-and-ones.”
“I know there were a couple fourth-and-longs,” O’Brien said.”But most of them fall into that situation where it was better to go for it and get a touchdown out of that drive then to get a field goal.”
So Ficken will continue to wait for his number to be called this coming season, and when it is, he’ll be ready.
Day 13: What Should Be Expected of Players Who Changed Positions?
Day 12: Breaking Down Penn State’s Roster By the Numbers
Day 11: Which Redshirt Freshmen Are Ready to Shine?
Day 10: Year Two Has Had Ups and Downs for Former Penn State Head Coaches
Day 9: Top 5 Springtime Quarterback Battles
Day 8: Will Bill O’Brien’s Run-Pass Ratio Change in 2013?
