Colorado University Athletics
Oliver Tries To Stay The Course As Steady Kicker
BOULDER GÇô The life of a field goal kicker is an uneasy one. A few feet in either direction can be the difference between unremitting criticism and staunch praise. Despite the fact that he stands on the sidelines as a spectator for the majority of the game, it is a position of extreme importance, and in recent years it has been a bugaboo in Colorado football.
The task of ending that troubling trend is a challenge the BuffaloesGÇÖ coaching staff has placed firmly on the shoulders of junior kicker Will Oliver. As a freshman in 2011, Oliver assumed a role that had been characterized by inconsistent performances and dramatic letdowns since the departure of All-American Mason Crosby in 2006. After meeting a good deal of pressure head on during his first two seasons with a solid amount of success, Oliver is ready to help the program take the next step in the rebuilding process by succeeding in situations that often come to separate a successful season from a dismal one.
GÇ£IGÇÖm happy with how I performed last season, but I can get better,GÇ¥ said Oliver. GÇ£I feel like IGÇÖve kicked very well this spring, especially in scrimmages. I didnGÇÖt get that many opportunities last year so I was limited a little bit, but hopefully weGÇÖll be in more situations where they need me late in a game this year and I will respond.GÇ¥
Most coaches subscribe to the philosophy that the kicking game is as important to winning and losing as anything else and in close games the performance of the field goal unit becomes even more paramount. Recent history suggests that rather than rising to the occasion, CU kickers have wilted under the intense spotlight. Since 2007, the Buffaloes have lost a total of 18 games by 10 points or less. In those 18 games, CU kickers have been successful only 55 percent of the time, a dismal mark which played a significant factor in those losses. The end result was a 23-51 overall record over a six-year period that has been one of the most difficult in the programGÇÖs annals.
OliverGÇÖs career began under the wilting Hawaiian sun but it took off a week later. In an early season tilt against California, Oliver kicked at Folsom Field for the first time and proceeded to launch himself into BuffaloesGÇÖ history. He opened the scoring by kicking a 27-yarder in the first quarter, and then kicked a school freshman record 52-yard field goal in the second. The game itself was a back and forth shootout in which the lead changed hands five times. With 30 seconds to play, the Buffaloes found themselves trailing 30-27 as Oliver once again trotted onto the field. He kicked a 32-yarder, sending the game into overtime, then added a 22-yarder shortly thereafter to give the Buffs a 33-30 lead. In the end, they lost the game but in the eyes of many, the rapid maturation of a kicker had taken place. His freshman season was a remarkable one blemished only by five blocked kicks which accounted for all but one of his misses on the year.
As the result of an ineffective offense, Oliver got few opportunities in 2012. The eight attempts were the second fewest of any team in the FBS and as a result, Oliver had little opportunity to improve upon his successful freshman campaign. Despite the lack of opportunities, Oliver chose to turn the season into a learning experience rather than an excuse to question his future in the program.
GÇ£I gained a lot of experience,GÇ¥ said Oliver. GÇ£Everything that has happened (so far) has helped me. I still need to get better and be more consistent so IGÇÖm happy (with my career thus far).GÇ¥
Although Oliver has had his share of highlights during his short career, he has yet to be called upon to make that final-second kick that would directly decide the outcome of a game. His performance against Cal was noteworthy, but he left the field without a chance to win the game. It is already apparent, however, that he has somewhat turned the tide on the recent lack of success by CU kickers in close games. In seven CU games decided by 10 points or less, Oliver has made 73 percent (8-11) of his field goal attempts. In 24 previous close games since 2007, kickers connected just 51 percent (22-43) of the time.
GÇ£IGÇÖve been pleased with how he has kicked this spring,GÇ¥ said new special teams coordinator, Toby Neinas. GÇ£His accuracy is top notch. I think he has the chance to connect 90 percent of his tries this season. ThatGÇÖs difficult to do for anybody but I think itGÇÖs possible (for him).GÇ¥
This year, Oliver entered the spring listed atop the depth chart, ahead of senior Justin Castor. Although both have gotten opportunities to kick in camp, Oliver seems to be firmly entrenched heading into the fall after making 22 of his 23 field goal attempts in the teamGÇÖs scrimmages.
In addition to the field goal kicking duties, Oliver has a strong desire to take over the starting duties as kickoff specialist, a job that has been manned for the most part in recent years by Castor. To this point, Oliver and Castor are co-listed atop the depth chart at the position and Oliver knows that if he is to have a future at the next level, and grow as a player in the process, he will need to become versatile enough to handle both jobs.
GÇ£I really would like to do both jobs,GÇÖGÇÖ said Oliver. GÇ£ItGÇÖll give me a chance to be more engaged in the game and to get more swings. There are positives and negatives because itGÇÖll be more responsibility and less time to work on field goals but I think I can handle it.GÇ¥
After two years of learning the ropes from well-traveled, multitasked special teams coach J.D. Brookhart, Oliver welcomes Neinas because he believes a change was necessary. During his tenure, Brookhart was put in charge of coordinating the passing game, instructing the tight ends and coaching the special teams. Some, including Oliver, felt that BrookhartGÇÖs multitasking left the special teams unit with a lack of sufficient coaching and as a result, the group suffered. The arrival of Neinas means the unit will have a coach dedicated solely to special teams for the first time in OliverGÇÖs career.
GÇ£I think (Brookhart) mightGÇÖve been spread too thin so I think itGÇÖs a good change,GÇ¥ said Oliver. GÇ£ItGÇÖs hard to quantify how much it affected it us but this good because we have a lot of young guys who need instruction.GÇ¥
The 2013 season is highly anticipated by many of the Colorado faithful. A new energetic coaching staff, the expectation of a healthier roster and an exciting recruiting class are among the reasons. The continued development of a talented kicker should be added to that list.