Villanova has confidence in kicker
A heavy favorite, Villanova probably won't have to rely on its kicking game Saturday against Lehigh. But if the nonconference games come down to a field goal, the Wildcats have faith in placekicker Nick Yako despite last week's struggles.
A heavy favorite, Villanova probably won't have to rely on its kicking game Saturday against Lehigh. But if the nonconference games come down to a field goal, the Wildcats have faith in placekicker Nick Yako despite last week's struggles.
Or do they?
"I have been talking to him a lot trying to settle him down," Villanova coach Andy Talley said. "I'm not totally sure with kickers. You've probably got to bring in a shrink to figure it all out."
The preseason all-Colonial Athletic Association selection missed two field-goal attempts and struggled with his kickoffs in last week's 31-24 setback against Temple. He did, however, make a 41-yarder that gave Villanova (0-1) a 24-22 advantage with 1 minute, 51 seconds remaining.
Talley believes that field goal helped his kicker's confidence.
"We think we have a good kicker, and sometimes with real-good hitters in baseball, they just need to get back into the groove."
Last season, Yako converted 12 of 16 field-goal attempts. The sophomore made a 29-yarder in the Wildcats' 38-17 victory over the Mountain Hawks last season. That victory gave Villanova a 6-5 series advantage over Lehigh (1-0) heading into Saturday's 12:30 p.m. game at Goodman Stadium in Bethlehem, Pa.
Villanova must contain Mountain Hawks quarterback Chris Lum and running back Jay Campbell. Lum completed 23 of 36 passes for 288 yards and a touchdown in last week's 28-14 victory at Drake. Campbell rushed 22 times for 93 yards and three touchdowns in the win.