Aug. 22, 2014
SAN DIEGO -
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Position previews: Aztecs hope competition is the cure for what ails the kicking game
Returning specialists: PK Seamus McMorrow, P Joe Alesi, LS Jeff Overbaugh
Departing specialists: PK Wes Feer, KR Colin Lockett, PR Tim Vizzi
By Michael Klitzing @mikeklitzing
Overview
San Diego State's Family Day scrimmage last Saturday was unique in at least one respect: It was probably the only scrimmage in the country where the loudest cheer of the afternoon came on a field goal attempt. Indeed, when Donny Hageman's 51-yard attempt split the uprights, the scores of fans hiding from the blistering heat in the shaded portions of Qualcomm Stadium's Plaza Level let out a heartfelt ovation.
The Aztecs faithful can be forgiven for their unusual exuberance. Placekicking has something of a tortured history around the SDSU program, but the past couple of seasons have taken the struggles to a new extreme. In the Rocky Long era the Aztecs have made only 24-of-45 (53 percent) field goal attempts. To fix the problem, Long has tried everything from junior college transfers to phasing out the kicking game altogether.
This year, the Aztecs' staff is trying a new tactic: sheer volume.
"We have three kickers and two punters, and all of them can punt so really five punters," said graduate assistant Doug Deakin, who works with the special teams unit. "It's been competitive and that's a great thing. It's really pushed each one of them to get better and really put some pressure on them even though it's practice. It adds that extra edge."
If the Aztecs are to have an edge on special teams this year, they will need to improve their kicking game and find adequate replacements for accomplished return men on kickoffs and punts.
Recapping 2013
We'll start with the positive. Senior Colin Lockett produced another terrific season returning kicks, posting a 24.5-yard average, while senior Tim Vizzi returned a pair of punts for scores, including a memorable game-tying return in the fourth quarter of SDSU's comeback win over Boise State. The kicking game on the other hand was ... less than positive. Wes Feer and Seamus McMorrow managed to make only 8-of-16 field goal attempts while missing six PAT's.
Leader in the clubhouse
The competition is far from settled, but the Aztecs have a clear leader in the battle for the place kicking duties. Hageman - he of the 51-yard boot - has been the team's most consistent kicker in practice, and has an edge over the junior McMorrow and freshman John Baron II. Hageman made 19-of-20 attempts last year for Mt. San Antonio College.
"He's done a nice job of being the most consistent, and as you saw at the scrimmage, he's got plenty of leg to get the job done," Deakin said. "I thought all the kickers have made the decision tough, but right now Donny is out with the first-team field goal. But that isn't set in stone yet."
Alesi again
While the punting position is not set in stone either, it would be a fairly shocking development if the duties go to anyone but Joel Alesi. The senior, who has allowed just two touchbacks in 59 career punts, was named Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Week when he launched three punts of more than 50 yards last October against Nevada. But he needs to be more consistent, as evidenced by his unspectacular 39.4-yard average for the season.
"He's got a heck of a leg," Deakin said. "When he's on, he can really boom that ball. So it's my job to get his technique so that's every kick, not just here and there.
No returners returning
SDSU has big shoes to fill in the return game with the departures of Vizzi and Lockett, and it looks like they'll turn to another pair of wide receivers to do so. Starting wideout Eric Judge - an electric talent who has some of the best straight-line speed on the team - is the frontrunner to run back kickoffs while sophomore Lloyd Mills should get a chance to shine on punts.
Unsung heroes
If you're not returning a kick for a score or nailing a clutch field goal, special teams duty can be decidedly unglamorous work. But SDSU benefits from a core unit of backups - junior defensive back Pierre Romain and sophomore linebacker Calvin Munson to name two - who clearly take pride in the work. That nucleus will now get a boost as members of recent strong recruiting classes find the field.
"That's been a big, big part of our special teams - having core guys who are on at least three of the four special teams," Deakin said. "And now with the freshman and the redshirt freshmen that are going to be able to play, the competition is raised."
Projected two-deep
PK-Donny Hageman, Seamus McMorrow
P-Joel Alesi, Seamus McMorrow
LS-Jeff Overbaugh, Hunter Christensen
KR-Eric Judge, Marcus Stamps
PR-Lloyd Mills, Damontae Kazee