Highlighted by a field goal
contest, the UTC football Mocs held its final pre-season practice Saturday
afternoon at Scrappy Moore Field.
Cheered on by their teammates,
kickers Nick Pollard (for the defense) and Henrique Ribeiro (for the offense)
went five rounds with Pollard (4 of 5) edged Ribeiro (3 of 5) on the last kick
making the offense run a series of 10 yard sprints.
The two veterans matched kick
for kick through three rounds all from the 32 yard line, but both missed in the
fourth (from 38) including Ribeiro’s potential winning boot which hit the left
upright and bounded away.
Pollard (Father Ryan grad), who
also decided to run with the offense, then split the uprights from 42 yards
out, while the Baylor grad’s final kick slide wide right.
Asked if he has a No.1 kicker
for the season opener against Central Michigan, head coach Russ Huesman said, ”We
evaluate every kick and will make a decision on kicking responsibilities as we
get closer to the game.”
Central Michigan Preparation: The Mocs have photo day Sunday afternoon, take Monday off (first day of class) and begin preparation Tuesday for the Aug. 28th opener in Mount Pleasant, Mich.
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net