Alabama, Florida trying to boot kicking woes

Posted 6:29PM on Thursday 28th September 2006 ( 18 years ago )

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The long-snapper must deliver the ball swiftly and accurately. The holder must catch it cleanly, then align it properly. The linemen must hold blocks. The kicker must have perfect timing, then strike the ball near the sweet spot. Although extra points and field goals might be a complicated process, most teams make them look relatively easy. Not Florida and Alabama. They spent extra time working on their kicking games this week and for good reason. The Gators, who haven't made a field goal this season, had two extra points blocked last Saturday against Kentucky. Things were much worse for the Crimson Tide. Freshman Leigh Tiffin missed three field goals and an extra point, resulting in a 24-23 loss in double overtime at Arkansas. The units get a chance to redeem themselves Saturday well, maybe not Tiffin when No. 5 Florida (4-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) hosts Alabama (3-1, 1-1). ``Everyone knows eventually it's going to come down to a field goal,'' Gators long-snapper James Smith said. ``Sooner or later we plan on winning a championship, and sooner or later it's going to come down to a field goal. We're all just working hard trying to get all the kinks worked out.'' There were plenty of kinks for both teams last weekend. Tiffin's four misses all from 37 yards or closer were the difference against the Razorbacks. Alabama coach Mike Shula consoled Tiffin after the game, but he still might make a change at the position. ``You've got to keep your head up, make sure you learn from it and get the things you need to get corrected,'' Shula told Tiffin. ``We believe in you and you ought to believe in yourself, which he does. ``When something like that happens it's tough, but you got to move on and make sure you're better because of it.'' Tiffin might not get a chance at redemption. Shula has said all along that Jamie Christensen would regain his starting job when fully recovered from a groin injury. It could happen Saturday. Florida coach Urban Meyer opted against making any changes after the problems against Kentucky. Place-kicker Chris Hetland had two extra points blocked. Hetland credited the Wildcats for getting pressure up the middle on both kicks, but said the second one was too low. With those blocks, the Gators have failed to convert five point-after attempts this season. They had two bad snaps in the first two games one in the opener against Central Florida and another the following week against Southern Mississippi that led to failed 2-point conversion attempts. They also had an extra point blocked in the opener. ``We have to get things right,'' Hetland said. ``We've had a couple of miscues, mishaps. We've made some changes, now we're just getting it together. ... There is no reason to point fingers. It was a combination of everybody.'' The Gators also haven't made a field goal this season. Hetland missed from 52 and 47 yards against Tennessee. He got another chance against Kentucky. He lined up for a 39-yard attempt in the fourth quarter, but the Gators faked the kick and tried to score on a fourth-and-goal play from the 22-yard line. Holder Butch Rowley picked up the ball and sprinted around the left end. He was supposed to pitch to Hetland, but he was tackled for a 3-yard gain. ``I had a good idea we weren't going to get that,'' Meyer said. ``That was not the intent. Even if Hetland had caught the pitch, I still don't think he would have got it. He's not very fast. But as long as people know we have it, then they're a little more cautious about putting everybody (around the snapper).''

http://accesswdun.com/article/2006/9/103204