In the comment on the column ‘Kicking Costs Coyotes,’ a comment was stated about kicker Justin Veazie, who is in fact a senior. I am sorry about that. However, Veazie has contributed this year. He has had a couple of kickoffs this year, even though he is injured. Yes he has been battling injuries for most of the year, but he is also on full scholarship to attend USD. Yes he is injured, but there have been injured players who have lost their scholarship before. Also, based on his horrible performance last year, should he have a scholarship? If you look at the column, you will notice Drew mention last year, which does include Veazie, who did miss extra points, so the column is valid. Right now, USD has three field goal kickers, one injured, but still three. There is a problem, trust me.
Justin Rust
Volante Sports Editor
The USD loss to UC Davis on Dakota Days was indeed a gut wrenching loss for Yotes fans. However, the loss should not be pinned solely on the right leg of Sam Sawyer.
Let’s keep some things in perspective. USD is in its second year of transition into FCS football. We all knew there were going to be some speed bumps along the way. I think the level of success that the Coyotes have achieved is a testament to the players, coaches, students, and alumni. 3-3, in the grand scheme of things, is respectable. Sure, we could be 5-1, but as long as the program is headed in the right direction, shouldn’t the supporters be focusing on the positives?
Second, there were 136 offensive plays run between both teams on D Days, not counting special teams (punts, kickoffs, and field goal/extra point attempts). Would it be safe to assume that any number of opportunities were available to both teams that were not capitalized upon? The kicking game makes up maybe 5% of the game. The kickers have a job to do, but they are human; they fail sometimes.
Also, Sawyer is a WALK ON. He isn’t even getting paid to play football. And Veazie is a juco transfer, which makes him a senior. And last year’s kicking issues are not this year’s issues.
Finally, the Great West isn’t the NFL, or even the Pac-10 or the SEC. Our players do not get paid millions to do their jobs; they don’t have the media glare that the BCS schools have on them. Our team, top to bottom, consists of great athletes who are better people than football players. Role models in the community. No arrests or scandals. They are, in other words, just like you and me…only bigger, faster, and stronger.
I hope Coyote fans remember these things before they boo one of their own on D Days for trying his best to do his job.
And Drew, if the extra point is “just added on, no thought required”, go down on the field in the Dome with 9800 fans going nuts and 11 huge guys in white uniforms screaming at you, trying to distract you. It may change your perspective on the thought required for the extra point.
Mick Zeman