[the_ad_group id=”632″]
BOCA RATON – Dissatisfied with the recent performance of kicker Vladi Rivas, Lane Kiffin pledged to use the upcoming bye week to re-open the Owls’ place-kicking battle.
Rivas missed a field goal attempt and an extra point attempt in Saturday’s victory over Charlotte, but Kiffin thought about making the change even before those mishaps.
“We were already scheduled to do that prior to the game,” Kiffin said.
Before Saturday Rivas made four of his five field goal attempts on the season, including a career-long 48 yarder. He’d also converted 12 of 13 extra point attempts. Only eight of Rivas’ 30 kickoffs this season resulted in touchbacks.
In the past Rivas has struggled to maintain confidence in his ability and Kiffin noted that issue “obviously showed up again.”
Now a redshirt sophomore, Rivas struggled as the Owls primary kicker last season. Battling a groin injury much of the year, Rivas converted only 10 of his 17 field goal attempts in 2018.
As a result the Owls entered fall camp openly looking for a kicker. Rivas won the battle with former Furman kicker Aaron Shahriari, keeping the starting kicking job.
FAU also added walk-on Logan McCleod to its roster during fall camp. The true freshman out of Naples-Bishop Verot is also a candidate for the position.
“We’re going to open it up this week,” Kiffin said. “Whoever wins it, wins it.”
Recent Comments