Thursday, September 02, 2010
- by B.B. Branton
The last time Tennessee at Chattanooga punter Mike Hammons also handled kickoff, extra point and field goal duties in one game was in Nov. 2007 as a senior at Polk County (Tenn.) High School.
Due to freshman kicker Nick Pollard’s hip injury, Hammons is all but penciled in to handle four assignments in Saturday’s season opener with No. 3 Appalachian State with a 3:05 p.m. kickoff at Finley Stadium.
“It’s a good possibility that Mike will be our kicker and punter on Saturday,” said Chattanooga head coach Russ Huesman.
Of course, Huesman and Hammons, a junior with a 38.7 yards per kick punting average, would be more than pleased that the Benton, Tenn. native’s Saturday duties include several kickoffs and extra point attempts and punting held to a minimum.
“I am gearing up to handle all the kicking duties on Saturday and I need to focus on technique and keep my down and follow through,” said Hammons, who has made the Dean’s List all four semesters at UTC.
Pollard came to pre-season camp as the heir apparent to Mocs All-American kicker Craig Camay and with impressive credentials including TSSAA D-II Mr. Football Kicker of the Year at Father Ryan in Nashville. He was perfect on 37 extra points and made good on 12 of 15 field goal attempts as a senior.
But Hammons can match that, as he was TSSAA 3A Mr. Football Kicker of the Year in 2007 with a 45.4 yards per punt average, five field goals and 36 of 38 extra points.
“I didn’t play organized football until my sophomore year, but had good kicking mentors to help bring me along, including my dad and uncle who both kicked in high school and Bobby Lambert,” stated Hammons, who also noted he attended several kicking camps to hone his skills.
Hammons, who had open heart surgery at three months of age, but was given a clean bill of health early on and played several youth sports growing up, credits his holders (Hayden Browder) and snappers (Ethan Boyd, Eddie Messer) for much of his kicking success.
“My goal as a senior was to make all-state and then to be voted kicker of the year was such a great honor,” he stated.
Saturday’s Opener: 3:05 p.m. kickoff at Finley Stadium … season opener for both teams … region broadcast on SportSouth … gates open at 1:30 p.m.
Contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net