FOR GRIFFITH, IT'S ALL A KICK : WALK-ON FRESHMAN WITH NO COLLEGE EXPERIENCE WON THE BRUINS JOB WITH EASE.Byline: Jon Wilner Staff Writer UCLA's list of questions and concerns entering the season was long enough to fill a chalkboard. The Bruins had no proven quarterback. They had an inexperienced in·ex·pe·ri·ence n. 1. Lack of experience. 2. Lack of the knowledge gained from experience. in offensive line, a young defensive line and a makeshift secondary. Their top receiver was hurt. They had no punter Punter 1. An trader who hopes to make quick profits. Basically, another term for speculator. 2. In the U.K., it is generally used to describe someone who gambles. It is also used to mean a client or customer of any business. and no kicker Kicker A right, warrant, or some other feature added to a debt instrument to make it more desirable to potential investors. Notes: The ability to trade a bond or other debt instrument in for stock may entice investors, if they feel the stock will appreciate. . Three games later, all the concerns remain - all except the kicker. Redshirt freshman Chris Griffith, who has no scholarship and no experience, has replaced departed kicker Chris Sailer Sail´er n. 1. A sailor. 2. A ship or other vessel; - with qualifying words descriptive of speed or manner of sailing; as, a heavy sailer; a fast sailer s>. with surprising ease. Although he hasn't kicked under pressure - or attempted a field goal longer than 37 yards - Griffith has made 5 of 5 field goals and 10 of 10 extra points. ``He was scared to death coming into his first game, but hitting that first field goal really calmed him down,'' Bruins kicking coach Bob Field said. ``We're not surprised he's doing well. He kicked very well in practice last year. Even for a freshman, his percentages were excellent. ``Chris doesn't have tremendous leg strength, although he has plenty to be a good college kicker. But his strength is his accuracy.'' Griffith never expected to be a college kicker. He played quarterback and defensive back at Douglas High in Gardnerville, Nev., and punted and kicked on the side. On UCLA's recruiting questionnaire, he didn't even write kicker. Only when a scheduling conflict prevented him from attending the Bruins' position camp in June 1998 did he enroll in their kicking camp later that summer. UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX didn't offer a scholarship, but it welcomed Griffith, whose family is from Orange County, to walk on. ``I've always had high expectations,'' he said. ``You don't come to a school like this as a walk-on if you aren't confident. I could have gone to a small school and played another position, but I wanted to come here.'' Griffith watched Sailer's every move last season and entered spring practice as the No. 1 placekicker. Actually, he was the only placekicker, but a challenger was on the way. The Bruins signed Nate Fikse, a highly regarded prospect from Anaheim, to compete with Griffith in training camp. Griffith won the placekicking battle, while Fikse earned the kickoff and punting jobs. ``I knew they were bringing him in and that there was a chance he could take my spot because he was on scholarship,'' Griffith said. ``That's why I stayed here over the summer. I lifted twice a week and kicked twice a week. ``I did it for insurance. I knew I couldn't go home all summer and walk in and get the job.'' Griffith couldn't have scripted a better start. His field goals have come from 26, 28, 33, 35 and 37 yards, and all from the coveted cov·et v. cov·et·ed, cov·et·ing, cov·ets v.tr. 1. To feel blameworthy desire for (that which is another's). See Synonyms at envy. 2. To wish for longingly. See Synonyms at desire. left hashmark. But eventually he'll be asked to win a game, kick a 50-yarder, or both. ``I'm not anxious, but I think about that a lot,'' he said. ``The thing is, I won't know how far it is. I never look at the line of scrimmage line of scrimmage n. pl. lines of scrimmage Football Either of two imaginary lines extending across the field parallel to the goal line at the ends of the ball as it rests prior to being snapped and at which each team lines up for . I kick the same way if it's 35 or 45 yards. When I come off the field, (long snapper In American football, the term long snapper refers to a player who is a specialized center during punts, field goals, and extra point attempts. His job is to snap the ball as quickly and accurately as possible. ) Jeff Grau tells me how far the kicks are.'' Grau and Griffith are roommates, and last Friday, while sharing a mountain bike, they crashed on a gravel street. Griffith tore up his right (kicking) leg and had a concussion concussion Period of nervous-function impairment that results from relatively mild brain injury, often with no bleeding in the cerebral cortex. It causes brief unconsciousness, followed by mental confusion and physical difficulties. . He vomited at practice Friday afternoon and again at the hotel that night. His leg stiffened and swelled and he didn't think he could kick against Fresno State. ``They told Nate to get ready, but that was the last thing I wanted to happen, since things have been going so well,'' Griffith said. ``When I got to the Rose Bowl, it was still stiff and it stung stung v. Past tense and past participle of sting. stung Verb the past of sting Adj. 1. , but I thought I could kick.'' He wrapped the leg tightly, leaving a gap at the knee for flexibility, and made two field goals to help UCLA beat the Bulldogs 35-21. ``I'm very pleased with Chris,'' coach Bob Toledo Bob Toledo (born March 4, 1946, in San Jose, California) is an American football coach, recently hired as head coach at Tulane University. He is best-known as the thirteenth head coach at UCLA. said. ``When he came here as a walk-on, he wasn't very strong. But through lifting weights, he got a lot stronger and he's very accurate.'' GRIFFITH FILE Name: CHRIS GRIFFITH Year: Redshirt freshman Hometown home·town n. The town or city of one's birth, rearing, or main residence. Noun 1. hometown - the town (or city) where you grew up or where you have your principal residence; "he never went back to his hometown again" : Gardnerville, Nev. In High School: Was 22-6 as starting quarterback for Douglas High. As a senior, he was named All-State twice: first-team as a kicker and second-team as a quarterback. Last year: Redshirted at UCLA behind kicker/punter Chris Sailer. This year: As UCLA's placekicker, he has made 5 of 5 field goals and 10 of 10 extra points. CAPTION(S): photo, box PHOTO Chris Griffith BOX: Griffith file (see text) |
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