AFA kicker needs to be a weapon

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Aug 7, 2008 | by Jake Schaller

Air Force senior kicker Ryan Harrison's leg strength has never been an issue.

During his first two years at the academy, he made a name for himself in practice by thumping long-range field goals that amazed teammates.

Before the 2007 season, however, Harrison hadn't attempted a field goal in a game. That raised questions about how he would handle college football's pressure cooker. It didn't take him long to put those questions to rest.

In the Falcons' third game, Harrison hit a 57-yard field goal in regulation and then a 33-yarder in overtime to give Air Force a 20- 17 upset of TCU.

When the game-winning kick split the uprights, Air Force players on the sideline erupted, coaches hugged and fans stormed the field. Harrison barely reacted, giving a slight fist pump before getting mobbed by teammates.

It was clear he had the psyche to go along with his leg strength.

"The mental side as a kicker plays a much bigger role" than physical ability, said junior Brandon Geyer, who will be Harrison's holder for the second straight season. "You're in front of all those fans, and it's a big-time game like TCU, there's a lot going through your mind right there. Just to be able to calm yourself down and make the kick is a big deal."

Harrison passed another and arguably harder psychological test later in the season. In the game against Wyoming on Oct. 20, he missed three field goals and had an extra point blocked.

Instead of letting the performance derail his confidence, Harrison rebounded.

Just like he didn't get too high after the TCU gamewinner, he didn't get too low after his performance against the Cowboys.

And he hasn't missed a field goal since, making nine straight to end the 2007 season.

"Missing three field goals in a game and being at a low point, and then making big kicks and being at that high point -- kind of being everywhere, it helps out with the experience," Harrison said.

That should serve him well in 2008, as expectations for him are even higher.

With just three starters returning on offense, Harrison likely will get more opportunities to kick field goals. He'll be counted on to affect field position with his punting to help a depleted defense.

And Air Force coach Troy Calhoun has asked him to be as good with placing kickoffs and executing onside kicks as he is with kicking the ball out of the end zone for touchbacks.

"He's got to be a major weapon," Calhoun said, "in a variety of ways."

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