Ad Disclosure
Mel Tucker shares message Matt Coghlin gave him moments before game-winning FG
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Michigan State kicker Matt Coghlin has seen all the highs and lows that come with being a collegiate kicker, and he was able to experience the joys of a game-winner Saturday night.
The senior kicker has made 73.4% of his kicks, but he has not been immune to struggles. As a junior, Coghlin made 22-of-32 kicks (68.8%) during Mark Dantonio’s final season, and he has missed 4 kicks in the first 4 games for the Spartans. That includes a miss from Saturday’s game against Nebraska, though the snap and hold were botched from the get-go.
Fortunately, Michigan State provided an opportunity for Coghlin to win the game from close range in overtime. Prior to the kick, head coach Mel Tucker said Coghlin had a simple message for him.
Mel Tucker says Matt Coghlin turned to him before heading out for the game-winning field goal and said:
“I gotchu.”
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) September 26, 2021
Tucker went on to discuss the kind of veteran presence that Coghlin brings to the Spartans:
Tucker on Matt Coghlin: “Cogs came through for us big. He’s a veteran player. He’s kind of been there, done that.”
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) September 26, 2021
Hopefully, that will not be the last big kick from Coghlin this season. Michigan State moves on to face Western Kentucky in Week 5.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.