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NU kicker able to take the good with the bad

NU kicker able to take the good with the bad

By Ben Gouldsmith, Daily Nebraskan

November 9, 2006

(CSTV U-WIRE) LINCOLN, Neb. -- Most of the time, a kicker has a thankless job.

If he connects on a field goal or an extra point, he's just doing what he's supposed to do.

But if he makes a small mistake that leads to a botched kick, he's blamed for not doing his job right.

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Nebraska's Jordan Congdon knows this all too well.

On Oct. 28, the Nebraska sophomore kicker missed a 42-yard field goal in the third quarter and an extra point in the fourth quarter of the Cornhuskers' 41-29 loss at Oklahoma State.

"It was just a tough game overall," Congdon said. "I can't really explain what happened on the extra point. It might have just been a flaw in my mechanics. The ball didn't come off smooth."

But Congdon redeemed himself in NU's 34-20 win over Missouri on Saturday, connecting on field goals from 40 and 33 yards while also successfully kicking four extra points.

Though he didn't receive much attention for his perfection against the Tigers, Congdon said it comes with the territory.

"When you're doing things right, you don't get anything," Congdon said. "If you do it wrong, it's the headline in the paper."

Because Congdon only gets a limited number of kicks per game, he said he has to make the best of every opportunity. This season Congdon has also been splitting NU's kickoff duties with sophomore Jake Wesch.

Through 10 games, Congdon has made 5 of 7 field goal attempts, including his 2-for-2 day against Missouri.

Congdon made five field goals in just the first three games of his standout freshman year last season.

NU Special Teams Coordinator Bill Busch said it's not necessarily bad that Congdon hasn't received many field goal chances this year.

"We like him not getting field goal opportunities," Busch said. "That means we're scoring touchdowns."

Congdon echoed Busch, saying he's happy as long as the Huskers are winning.

But if the team does need Congdon to put points on the board, Busch said he has confidence in the San Diego native's abilities. Congdon's improved strength has allowed his kicking range to increase seven to 10 yards from last season, Busch said.

In NU's 11th game last season, Congdon kicked the first game-winning field goal of his career when he booted a 40-yarder with 1 minute, 5 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to give Nebraska a 27-25 win over Kansas State.

And if the Huskers need Congdon to provide more heroics on Saturday in this year's 11th game at No. 23 Texas A&M, he'd be happy to oblige with the game on the line.

Maybe then his job wouldn't be so thankless.

"As a kicker, that's what you dream about," Congdon said. "If you're a kicker and you don't want that situation, then you shouldn't be kicking anymore. I love those situations."

"When the team needs it, I'll be ready to go."

 
HuskerJosh82 said:
Oh yeah, I hope next year he can improve his distance and put it in the end zone on kickoffs.
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I'd be surprised if we see him on kickoff duty again this year. Wesch has been kicking off.
NU is after a few kickers this year that would serve both longer field goals and kick offs.

 
:yeah

I hope he can add some distance. His confidence is there, just get a little stronger. I have to ask the age old question:

Is distance better than accuracy?

 
He will never do anything after NE if he cant make kicks beyound 42 yards and get it to the end zone. His leg stregth is horrible but his accuracy inside 40 is good!

 
The funny/strange thing about Congdon is that his mentors and kicking coaches have claimed he is destined to kick at the next level. He is about as mechanically sound as they come. Between his freshman and sophomore years he did add about 5 to 7 yards to his range by hitting the weights. Hopefully that progression can continue.

 
FriscoTXHusker said:
DaveH said:
Touchdown Tommie said:
Is distance better than accuracy?
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Doesn't matter how far you kicked it if it didn't go between the uprights.
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Doesn't matter how accurate you kicked it if it falls short.
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Which is why he won't be put out there for 47+ yard kicks. I'd put him out there for about there or less.

My main point is some people have a gripe about how his kicks are usually long enough, but not terribly long. If it's long enough and through the uprights, you get 3. You don't get more if you kick it out of the stadium.

 
Last season Jordan was 19 of 23 with the longest being 41 yards. (three total 40+)

This season so far Jordan is 5 of 7 with his longest being 40 yards. He has missed two, one from 37 yards against Nicholls State, and one from 42 yards out against OSU.

So for the last two years Jordan is 24 of 30 with 4 being over 40 yards. These are solid numbers but nothing great. But he did have that 40 yard field goal against KSU last season that won the game for us. That carries a lot of weight. If he misses an occasional field goal when the game isn't on the line it's no big deal. As has he keeps making these clutch FG's.

 
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