If there’s such a thing as a kicker controversy, Notre Dame has it.
Hours before his team’s first preseason practice three weeks ago, coach Bob Davie said his No. 1 priority–even ahead of implementing a new offense–was to settle the battle at placekicker.
Now, three days before Notre Dame’s opener against Georgia Tech, Davie is more undecided than ever. He might even alternate his kickers during the game, just like he does in practice.
The problem is that none of the three candidates–Jim Sanson, Scott Cengia and Kevin Kopka–has dazzled Davie in practice, making this race too close to call. “I would have liked the situation to have resolved itself by now,” Davie said, “but no one has stepped up and unanimously won the job.”
Cengia entered last season as the starter but was benched after missing a 37-yarder in the opener against Vanderbilt. For his career, Cengia has made 10 of 14 field-goal tries.
Sanson took over for Cengia last year and connected on six of nine field goals, including a game-winning 39-yarder against Texas. But he also missed six extra points.
Kopka missed last season with knee problems after going 6 for 11 on three-pointers in 1995.
The kickers say they’re getting a bad rap. Davie keeps talking about their “inconsistencies” during practice, but the kickers say they’re hitting field goals at about a 75 percent clip.
“It’s not that we’re all doing bad, it’s that everyone’s doing the same,” Cengia said. “I’ve been going out and kicking every day as if it were my last.”
“Everyone thinks that because coach can’t choose, all three of us are bad,” Kopka said. “Some days we’re hot, and other days we’re not. All coach Davie wants to know is who’s going to get hot Saturday.”
The fighting who? Georgia Tech coach George O’Leary says his players won’t be intimidated by playing the Irish. And they won’t walk into Notre Dame Stadium with their tongues hanging out.
“There’s some mystique,” O’Leary said Tuesday during a teleconference. “But I don’t think it’s as big as people make it out to be. I really don’t. I think the players are just anxious to see what their place looks like.
“Our players can’t name 10 Notre Dame players from past years. Our players know more about teams from the South than the Midwest.”
Hmmm . . . is that good enough for the bulletin board?
Clean bill of health: The Irish will enter Saturday’s opener at full strength. Fullback Jamie Spencer, who sprained his right knee and ankle Aug. 15, returned to practice Monday. Offensive lineman Chris Clevenger (back spasms) and defensive lineman Kurt Belisle (hamstring) are also back at full speed.
“It’s amazing how when you get into game week,” Davie said, “those groins and those hamstrings seem to heal pretty quick.”
Pump you up: Irish defensive coordinator Greg Mattison has seen it happen before. Players get so excited before an opener, they can barely strap on their helmet.
“It even happens to veterans,” Mattison said. “I’ve seen guys hyperventilate.
“You can get so excited that you get tired and lose it in the first quarter. We understand that we have to keep (players) down in warmups and say, `Your time’s going to come.’ “
