1. You gotta understand the phenomenon that was Nugent, and to a lesser extent Josh Huston after him. For the past four years, our kicking game has been fantastic. Imagine a world where almost every kickoff goes at least five yards into the endzone. A world where a missed field goal is a huge surprise, where you expect the kicker to make the 45-yard game winner. Basically, we're talking a world Hayden Epstein and Xavier Beitia will never know. This is what we've had as Buckeye fans. And when you end up in a lot of close games, as the Buckeyes have during most of the Tressel years, having a great, clutch kicker is invaluable. Plus, having a kicker with built-in theme music (Ted Nugent's "Stranglehold") and a cheer that confuses play-by-play guys ("Nuuuuuuuge") is a lot of fun. So yeah, we have a lot of love for the kicking game.
2. Where can I get one of those Nugent figurines? That'd be fantastic. I'd set in on top of my desk and seek advice from it.
Me: "Nugent figurine, I have a quiz tomorrow morning, but everyone's going out to the bar. What should I do?"
: "You must follow your heart, my son."Me: "Thanks, Nugent figurine! To the bar!"
I really want one of these, where can I can I get one?
ReplyDelete"Imagine a world where almost every kickoff goes at least five yards into the endzone. A world where a missed field goal is a huge surprise, where you expect the kicker to make the 45-yard game winner."
ReplyDeleteTry a 55-yard winner (Marshall, '04). Never a doubt in my mind. I mean ... he's the Nuge!
Well, the guy from Deadspin said he saw them in Dayton, so that's a start. If they don't sell them somewhere in Columbus, though, I'll be shocked. This city has everything Ohio State.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for Nuge and his 55-yarder, I gotta admit I was a little worried. If that was any other kicker, I'd have thought Tressel was crazy. But I thought, "You know, Nugent can do this." And he did, and there was much rejoicing.
Who is going to be our place kicker this year?
ReplyDeleteRight now it's between Ryan Pretorious and Aaron Pettrey. Pretorious is a redshirt sophmore, a 26 year old former professional rugby player from South Africa. He's considered the more accurate kicker that's probably better able to handle the pressure.
ReplyDeletePettrey's a redshirt freshman that's been hanging around a few years waiting for a scholarship. He's the one that hit a game-winning 59-yarder in the kick scrimmage, and who hit one from like 65 yards warming up for the Spring Game. So he's got a big leg.
Right now, I'd say Pettrey handles kickoffs and long field goals, and Pretorious handles the rest. The coaches haven't said much about it, though.