NCAA FootballVideo

Penn State Is Now 0-2, And Their Kicker Had A Really Rough Day

Penn State lost to Virginia earlier today 17-16, but it wasn’t without a bit of heartbreak. Despite moving the ball with relative ease (though they often stalled in Virginia territory) and playing solid defense, a late Virginia TD put the Cavaliers up 17-16. Still, Penn State drove down the field with under 90 seconds left in the game and moved into field goal range. Except Penn State kicker Sam Ficken probably wasn’t feeling all that confident.

Before that moment, he was having a rough day: one make from 32 yards and three misses, from 40, 38, and 20, and a blocked PAT which was why the Nittany Lions trailed by one. And then this, with two seconds left in the game.

It’s especially rough for Penn State, considering how well they played. At this point, it seems most people want them to get that first win of the season – Bill O’Brien and his players had nothing to do with the Sandusky/Paterno/Curley/Schultz business, so it’s tough to see them punished. Everyone was hoping for a feel-good comeback story, but we don’t have it. Yet.

And for Ficken, he’s the replacement for former first team All-Big Ten kicker Anthony Fera, who transferred to Texas in the wake of the NCAA sanctions. Hopefully the kid keeps his head high and can shake this one off.

Video via CJ Fogler

Follow @dylantmurphy