Give the guy a break. After all, Georgia's new kicker hasn't tried a field goal since high school.
``In some ways, there's going to be a lot of pressure. In another sense, I'm probably coming into as good a situation as I can come in,'' Ely-Kelso said. ``I've got only two games to do this. Hopefully, I can fall back on the fact that I'm a punter. Even if I do bad, they'll say, 'Oh, he's just a punter.' Maybe that will play out for me.''
Ely-Kelso is hardly new to Georgia fans. The fifth-year senior has been punting for the Bulldogs the last four seasons, establishing himself as one of the most consistent in the Southeastern Conference. This season, he ranks sixth in the league and 38th nationally with an average of 41.1 yards per punt.
Now, for the final two or three games of his college career (including a possible bowl), Ely-Kelso gets to take on an additional role. The Bulldogs (6-4, 3-4 SEC) turned to him to handle the field-goal and extra-point duties after Andy Bailey botched several key attempts.
``It's tough, but it's also a little bit exciting,'' Ely-Kelso said. ``I've been the punter here pretty much the last four years. That can get a little old at times. Now I've got something new to do. It's kind of an exciting challenge.''
In last week's upset loss to Kentucky, Bailey missed from 40 and 47 yards in addition to line-driving an extra-point attempt into the back of one of his blockers. After that, the coaches told Ely-Kelso that he would be taking the next kick.
The chance never came against the Wildcats, so Ely-Kelso will make his debut Saturday at No. 5 Auburn (9-1, 5-1).
``He's not as polished, but he does a pretty good job of putting it through there,'' coach Mark Richt said.
Ely-Kelso is actually the Bulldogs' third kicker this season, filling a position that was a major strength until All-SEC pick Brandon Coutu was lost for the year with a severely torn hamstring in early October.
Coutu was the league's top scorer in 2005 and started out this season making his first seven attempts including a 55-yarder before he finally missed on another long try. He sustained his freakish injury during an onside kick drill in practice, giving Bailey another shot at the job.
Bailey was actually recruited ahead of Coutu coming out of high school but couldn't hold the No. 1 spot. This season, the backup never seemed to recover from missing a 38-yarder against Vanderbilt (which prevailed 24-22 on a last-second field goal). He botched an extra point against Mississippi State and had that dismal performance against Kentucky, which left him feeling personally responsible for Georgia's fourth loss in five games.
Ely-Kelso hasn't tried a field goal in a game since he played at nearby Clarke Central High School.
``I remember doing pretty well in high school as a kicker,'' he said. ``But that was a long time ago. Maybe I've blocked out the bad kicks.''
Ely-Kelso won't be the only player taking on a new role when the Bulldogs face one of the nation's best teams. He had been the holder on field goals and extra points, so backup punter Brian Mimbs will take over those duties creating all sorts of potential problems in the split-second timing and synchronization that is required between the snapper, holder and kicker.
But Ely-Kelso isn't getting too worked up about the whole thing.
``I've never been a very nervous guy,'' he said. ``If you let the nerves get to you, you're not going to do too well. Honestly, it will probably he a little bit nerve-racking. This is something new. The first time I punted at Georgia, I had a few nerves. I'll admit that. But I've played in so many games, the whole spectacle of college football is not going to get to me.''
Ely-Kelso has kicked the ball as far as 65 yards in practice, but he wouldn't feel very comfortable beyond 50 yards in an actual game. He's certainly realistic about his chances of pulling this off so late in his career.
``I can kick the ball a long way,'' he said with a smile. ``Making it go straight is the bigger issue.''
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
http://accesswdun.com/article/2006/11/100372